30 November 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 4) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 3
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 1
33’ (1-0) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
61’ (2-0) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
83’ (red card) Daniel Micallef (SLS)
87’ (2-1) Jurgen Mario Portelli
88’ (3-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
Sannat L:
K. Attard, S. Sillato, K. Xuereb, G. Portelli, C. Gauci, O.J. Obaje, E. Gauci (G. Xerrri 89), P. Said, K. Calleja (E. Bennici 64), A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg., E. Bennici,
St Lawrence S:
P. Cremona, N. Haber (V.J. Saliba 65), E. Bugeja, O. Grech (J.M. Portelli 46), E.J. Padilla Pedrozo, J. Grima, C. Farrugia (J. Xuereb 74), D. Micallef, D. Atzori (D. Rapa 74), J. Saliba (C. Azzopardi 80), Ju. Attard.
Sannat Lions earned three precious points from a 3-1 win over St Lawrence Spurs so that they recovered from a disappointing start in the second division league and with the points obtained they reached the same St Lawrence on the table.
In this first match from Match-Day 4 of the campaign, both teams came out to obtain the full points at stake as the Spurs could have consolidated their positive start and retain their place at the upper part of the table, while Sannat needed the points to move away from the lower places and at the same time they were looking to regain their chances to challenge at least for the runners-up position.
The match lived up to the expectations as St Lawrence was often more adventurous than their opponents but their play was sterile and failed to capitalise from some good chances in front of Sannat’s goal. On the other hand, Sannat achieve their objective through a prudent approach where they had a strong defensive deployment and surprised their opponents with effective breaks. The protagonist in Sannat’s win was undoubtedly their striker Aud-Gustine James Obaje who scored three goals for his side which made all the difference in this match.
Timeline:
Play for most of the first half took place in the midfield as the two defensive departments neutralised the respective strikers so that the actions on goal were quite rare. Sannat capitalised on their best attempt towards St Lawrence’s goal and took the break in the lead.
23’ St Lawrence was dangerous through a shot by Daniel Atzori but Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard was well placed and saved the danger.
30’ The Spurs once again threatened Sannat’s defence but a good shot by Daniel Atzori just missed the target.
33’ (1-0) Sannat opened the score when Aud-Gustine James Obaje fired in the net, and beyond the reach of St Lawrence keeper, with a shot from outside the area following a personal action.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
After the resumption, St Lawrence found it difficult to create serious attempts towards Sannat’s goal despite their efforts to recover the deficit. On the other hand, Sannat consolidated their defensive department and became more dangerous with their breaks so that they practically put their minds at rest from the win with a second goal that arrived just after the hour mark.
7’ Sannat could have doubled their lead when Paul Said delivered a cross from the left flank but Aud-Gustine James Obaje’s header from close distance hit defender Daniel Micallef, with the goalkeeper beaten, and the ball ended in a corner.
14’ St Lawrence could have created more danger but a shot from outside the area by James Grima was neutralised without difficulty by Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard.
16’ (2-0) Sannat increased their lead with a close-ranged header by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a corner kick by Eric Gauci.
26’ St Lawrence’s goalie Paul Cremona was called to make a good save following a low shot from outside the area by Eric Gauci.
28’ (crossbar) St Lawrence could have re-opened the issue but an effort by substitute Victor John Saliba with the goalkeeper beaten was stopped by the crossbar.
31’ St Lawrence’s goalie Paul Cremona came to the rescue for his side when a header by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a free kick by Aaron Azzopardi was not cleared by the defence and the ball arrived to an unmarked Eric Gauci but the latter hesitated and hit badly so that the goalkeeper saved the danger.
38’ (red card) St Lawrence was reduced to ten players when Daniel Micallef was shown a second yellow card for a foul just outside his area.
39’ From the resultant free kick, Sannat’s Paul Said went close to score another goal but his attempt ended just over the crossbar.
42’ (2-1) St Lawrence managed to reduce the deficit when Eduin Junior Padilla Pedrozo delivered a low cross from the left flank and substitute Jurgen Mario Portelli came from behind the defence and fired in goal from close distance.
43’ (3-1) Sannat however made sure of the win by scoring the third goal through a tap-in by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a low cross from the left flank by substitute Emanuel Bennici.
FT (SL 3 – SLS 1)
Referee: Luca Formosa
Asst. Referees: Gerald William Zammit Young, Carmel Vassallo
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