MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

BLACKS EARN FULL POINTS FROM EIGHT-GOAL THRILLER

GHAJNSIELEM FC ... (E. Grima 2’, T. Dos Santos 26’, J. Attard 53’, R. Carriaga 79’, K. Mercieca 87’)

J. Grech, R. Grima (S. Azzopardi), B. Meilak, F. Apap, J. Buttigieg, J. Attard, F.L. Galea, R. Cariaga, K. Mercieca, E. Grima (S. Meilak), T. Dos Santos.

Ghajnsielem and Victoria Hotspurs produced an entertaining match that was only decided in the final stages of the encounter.  At the end Ghajnsielem had the last say as they managed to come out of a difficult moment by scoring the two last goals of the match that decided the issue.  The two teams were determined to obtain a victory from this match.  Ghajnsielem needed points to make up for the defeat conceded in their first match of the championship, while Victoria Hotspurs were aiming to prolong their positive start to the new season and start the campaign with a victory. 

Throughout the ninety minutes the two sides enjoyed superiority over the respective opponents for some moments and it was not surprising that the result turned from one side to the other.  Ghajnsielem confirmed the improvement registered in their previous match.  They were more positive in their approach and their key players Thiago Dos Santos and Rodrigo Cariaga became more involved in the maneuver.  The latter, was probably the protagonist of the match by scoring the fourth goal for his side, just seconds from Victoria’s equaliser.  Overall the Hotspurs disappointed the expectations.  They were coming from an impressive victory in the Independence Cup final but in this match they had changes in the deployment that probably affect the equilibrium of the team.

The Blacks opened the score after two minutes of play.  Joe Attard, who was undoubtedly among the best players for his side on the day, entered the area from the flank, but had his low shot blocked by the defense.  The ball arrived to Errol Grima at the edge of the area and the veteran midfielder fired home with a low shot.  The Hotspurs were not demoralized and turned the result in their favour with two goals in the space of six minutes.  Daniel Farrugia leveled the score with a fine strike directly from a free kick in the 6^th minute and Uchenna Anyanwu put the Spurs in the lead with a fine header from a corner kick by John Paul Grima on 12 minutes.  Ghajnsielem had a reaction and piled some pressure over Victoria’s rearguard creating danger through efforts by Joe Attard, Errol Grima and Kenneth Mercieca.  Ghajnsielem’s efforts were rewarded on 26 minutes.  Once again Joe Attard entered the area from the flank and from his low pass Frank Lee Galea unmarked Thiago Dos Santos who placed in goal with a fine shot.  Victoria could have regained the lead on 37 minutes but Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech turned in corner in style a header by Anyanwu following a cross by John Paul Grima.  The Blacks replied with an excellent strike by Dos Santos from outside the area following a corner action that missed the target.

After the resumption Ghajnsielem maintained their momentum and took a deserved lead in the 53^rd minute through Joseph Attard, who netted with a low angled shot following a corner kick by Errol Grima that was only deflected by Victoria’s rearguard.  In the following minutes the Blacks maintained pressure and three minutes later Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima was called to make a difficult save following a free kick by Cariaga.  However, the Hotspurs regained composure and in the 59^th minute an effort by Anyanwu following a melee at the goalmouth from a corner kick by John Paul Grima was cleared off the line by skipper Joseph Buttigieg with the goalkeeper beaten.  Ghajnsielem suffered Victoria’s pressure and in the 79^th minute the Hotspurs obtained a deserved equaliser through John Paul Grima who netted from close distance a long ranged free kick by substitute Ryan Grech. 

However, as Victoria’s players and supporters were still celebrating the goal, Ghajnsielem took the lead.  It was Rodrigo Cariaga who noted the goalkeeper out of his position and lobbed in goal directly from the middle of the pitch, just 30 seconds from Victoria’s equaliser.  The Hotspurs were demoralized and for the remaining minutes Ghajnsielem dictated matters. In the 81^st minute a strike by Dos Santos ended just wide and the same Brazilian striker had a good effort two minutes later that was well saved by goalie Grima.  The Blacks sealed the issue with the fifth goal scored three minutes from time through Kenneth Mercieca who concluded a fine move on the right flank by substitute Stefan Azzopardi.   Referee: Anton Zammit

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