GFA BOV GFL Division II
Sannat Ground
Gharb R: 1 (S. Fidelis 60’)
Mercieca, A. Sultana (J. Muscat), Ch. Attard, J. Azzopardi, R. Vella, M. Grech, Cr. Attard, R. Grech (J. Camenzuli), S. Fidelis, P.A. Attard, D. Bellotti.
St Lawrence S: 0
Fenech, L. Buttigieg, J. Micallef (J. Grech), S. Mizzi (S. Caruna), J. Grima, J. Theuma, M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi, D. Micallef, L. Attard, C. Tabone.
Gharb Rangers earned three precious points from their match against St Lawrence Spurs and are now sharing the top of the table with Sannat Lions. This was a direct clash between two teams who are aiming to challenge for promotion. The match was well contested as the Spurs tried to take territorial supremacy while Gharb were well organised to control St Lawrence’s strikers and were also effective in their breaks inside St Lawrence’s area. At the end Gharb’s win was deserved especially when considering the collective effort of their players. In this match St Lawrence had a very disappointing performance and ended up suffering the second defeat from three matches of the campaign. The Spurs therefore need to improve in their next matches as they might have compromised the possibility to be among the challengers at such an early stage of the season
St Lawrence tried to take command from the early stages but they failed to produce danger towards Gharb’s keeper Nicholas Mercieca. Gharb were well deployed at their defence and also went close to scoring on at least two occasions following counter breaks. On 15 minutes Saviour Fidelis came face to face with St Lawrence’s keeper Elliott Fenech but the striker concluded wide and four minutes later Gharb’s Paul Anthony Attard was unmarked in the area but his low shot was well saved by goalie Elliott Fenech. St Lawrence kept insisting and produced the best scoring opportunities during the last part of the first half. On 29 minutes Mohammed Senussi Telessi entered Gharb’s area but his attempt was well blocked by goalie Nicholas Mercieca. Less than a minute later the same striker had another good opportunity through a low shot that was neutralised by the same goalkeeper. Gharb replied on 34 minutes through a free kick by Saviour Fidelis that was saved by goalie Elliott Fenech and just before the end of regular time before half time St Lawrence’s Jason Theuma had a header from a good position following a long ranged free kick that ended wide.
St Lawrence went again close to scoring in the sixth minute of play of the second period through a direct free kick by Mohammed Senussi Telessi that was saved with difficulty by goalie Nicholas Mercieca. As time passed by the Spurs increased their pressure on Gharb’s defence while the Rangers continued to defend well and threatened St Lawrence’s rearguard through sporadic counter breaks. Gharb managed to open the score on the hour mark when Saviour Fidelis received a long through pass and lobbed into an open goal as goalie Elliott Fenech left his position in an attempt to block the danger. St Lawrence’s reaction arrived on 69 minutes but Mohammmed Senussi Telessi’s header from a corner action ended wide. As time passed by St Lawrence became nervous in their play and Gharb were in a position to control play. The Spurs also suffered a setback on 87 minutes when they had Christopher Cauchi sent off for a second bookable offence so that the score remained unchanged until the end of stoppage time.
Referee: Joe Mizzi
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