25 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 9) Kercem Stadium
St Lawrence Spurs FC: 4
Sannat Lions FC : 3
5’ (1-0) Daniel Atzori
14’ (2-0) Jake Saliba
27’ (2-1) Gabriel Debrincat
28’ (3-1) Eduin Junior Padilla Pedrozo
32’ (4-1) Jurgen Mario Portelli
44’ (4-2) Gabriel Debrincat
64’ (4-3) Andrew Attard
St Lawrence S:
P. Cremona, N. Haber, E. Bugeja, J.M. Portelli (O. Grech 72), E.J. Padilla Pedrozo, J. Grima, S. Farrugia, D. Micallef, D. Atzori (V.J. Saliba 60), J. Saliba (C. Farrugia 83), Ju. Attard.
Sannat L:
K. Attard, G. Portelli, O.J. Obaje, E. Gauci (C. Buttigieg 83), P. Said (A. Attard 63), C. Dingli (K. Xuereb 63), T. Grech, E. Bennici, A. Azzopardi (D. Bellotti 63), G. Debrincat, C. Gauci.
In the main match from Match-Day 9 of the second division campaign, St Lawrence Spurts earned three important points from a 4-3 win over Sannat Lions so that the Saints took the second spot on the table at the expense of the same Sannat.
This match was a direct clash between two teams who are aiming to win the place in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off at the end of the two leagues in Gozitan football. The match turned out to be quite interesting but the outcome remained uncertain.
St Lawrence was more determined and paved the way to the win by scoring four goals during the first half. The Spurs capitalised on their best scoring opportunities so that they opened a comfortable lead and were able to end the match in the lead despite a strong reaction by their opponents. Sannat on the other hand compromised their chances to earn a positive result with a poor defensive performance during the opening stages and were therefore forced to trail their opponents throughout the 90 minutes.
Timeline:
Sannat seemed more adventurous during the opening stages but they ended up leaving open spaces at their defence so that St Lawrence took advantage of the situation and were more dangerous than their opponents. The Spurs also capitalised on the mistakes by Sannat’s defence and scored on four occasions but conceded two goals and at the end of the first half Sannat remained in contention for a positive result.
5’ (1-0) St Lawrence opened the score when Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard file dot hold a through ball from the midfield by James Grima and Daniel Atzori took advantage and turned it into an empty net.
14’ (2-0) St Lawrence doubled them as a cross from the right flank by Jurgen Mario Portelli arrived to an unmarked Jake Saliba who concluded in goal with a first-timer that did not allow an intervention by the goalkeeper.
27’ (2-1) Sannat reduced the deficit when Aud-Gustine James Obaje passed inside St Lawrence’s area and from his low pass Gabriel Debrincat placed easily into an open goal with a low drive.
28’ (3-1) St Lawrence had an immediate reaction and re-established their two-goal lead through a shot from outside the area by Eduin Junior Padilla Pedrozo that surprised Sannat’s goalie.
32’ (4-1) The Spurs increased their lead when Jake Saliba entered Sannat’s territory from the left-hand side in a counterbreak, his low cross was partially blocked by goalie Kyle Attard and Jurgen Mario Portelli took the deflection and concluded in goal.
44’ (4-2) Sannat reduced the gap to two goals when Aud-Gustine James Obaje once again passed inside St Lawrence’s area and from his low cross Gabriel Debrincat placed into an open goal from an unmarked position.
HT (4-2)
Second Half
The match became much more contested after the break as Sannat increased their efforts in an attempt to save the result while St Lawrence tried to administer their lead and continued to be dangerous with counter breaks. Sannat scored their third goal midway through the second half but for the rest of the encounter they failed to create serious danger towards St Lawrence’s goal as the Spurs defended their area and protected the lead until the final whistle
1’ St Lawrence went close to score another goal but an attempt from a good position by James Grima was saved with some difficulty by Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard.
4’ Sannat replied with a shot by Paul Said but goalie Paul Cremona was well-placed and neutralised the danger.
8’ Sannat’s goalie was called to make another important intervention when he turned to a corner a strike by Daniel Atzori.
19’ (4-3) Sannat reduced the deficit to just one goal through a shot from outside the area by substitute Andrew Attard, who entered the field of play less than a minute earlier, which ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.
45+5’ St Lawrence could have sealed the win when Padilla Pedrozo entered Sannat’s area with a personal action but his final shot missed the target.
FT (SLS 4 – SL 3)
Referee: Abbas Faron
Asst. Referees: Kyle Cilia, Zak Anastasi
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