12 March 2025
GFA Knock Out 2nd Division (Q/final) Gozo Stadium
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC : 3
6’ (0-1) Andrew Mizzi
70’ (0-2) Cesar Velez Da Silva
88’ (0-3) Andrea Debrincat
St Lawrence S:
P. Cremona, J.K. Farrugia (D.P. Rapa 68), N. Haber, E. Bugeja, J.M. Portelli (M. Dingli 72), E.J. Padilla Pedrozo, V.J. Saliba (O. Grech 76), C. Farrugia, J. Xuereb (D. Atzori 68), D. Micallef, J. Attard.
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri (G. Mercieca 90), D. Cassar (K. Sciberras 82), A. Azzopardi, J. Theuma, R. Saliba, L. Atzori (T. Markovic 46), C. Vella (S. Azzopardi 46), A. Mizzi, A. Xuereb, A. Debrincat, C. Velez Da Silva.
In the first match of the Second Division Knock-Out competition quarter-finals, Kercem Ajax claimed a 3-0 victory over St Lawrence Spurs, keeping their hopes alive of winning all the competitions in their category.
As expected, Kercem dominated the match, but they found it difficult to secure the win early on, as St Lawrence defended well, making clear goal-scoring opportunities rare. Kercem’s victory was sealed with an early goal, and they secured qualification with two more goals in the match’s final minutes.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Kercem started aggressively and scored an early goal, but they struggled to translate their superiority into more goals. This allowed St Lawrence to grow in confidence and believe they could pull off an upset.
6’ (0-1) Kercem opened the scoring when Christian Vella delivered a corner, and Andrew Mizzi surprised the defence with a header into the net.
22’ Kercem missed an opportunity to double their lead when, after a goalmouth scramble in front of St Lawrence’s goal, Andrea Debrincat’s shot from a good position went off target.
45+1’ – Kercem threatened again as a shot from Cesar Velez Da Silva was blocked by the defence.
HT (0-1)
Second Half:
Kercem came out looking to extend their lead, creating more attacking opportunities. St Lawrence remained well-organized defensively, but as time went on, Kercem increased the pressure and secured the win with two late goals.
2’ St Lawrence goalkeeper Paul Cremona made a crucial save on a close-range shot from substitute Samuel Azzopardi.
13’ – Cremona was called into action again, making a difficult save from Andrea Debrincat’s header and recovering quickly to clear the danger.
15’ – Kercem’s Andrea Debrincat nearly extended the lead, but his close-range shot was again saved by St Lawrence’s goalkeeper.
18’ (Disallowed Goal) St Lawrence created a good attacking move through Padilla Pedrozo, who entered the box and set up Jurgen Mario Portelli to score, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
25’ (0-2) Kercem finally doubled their lead with a central shot from Cesar Velez Da Silva that gave the goalkeeper no chance to save.
31’ Kercem almost added another goal when Andrew Mizzi broke past the defence and set up Andrea Debrincat, but his close-range effort was saved by Paul Cremona.
40’ Kercem continued to threaten, but a close-range shot from Cesar Velez Da Silva was deflected by the defence for a corner.
43’ (0-3) Kercem sealed the victory with a third goal when Cesar Velez Da Silva’s shot was partially saved by Paul Cremona, and Andrea Debrincat pounced on the rebound to fire into the net.
FT (SLS 0 – KA 3)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Anthony Paul Vella
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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