MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

TIGERS OBTAIN FIRST WIN

M. Grima, J.P. Grima, J. Emanche, E. Nkwankwo,  U. Anyanwu, A. Tramboo, M. Vella, N. Borg (A. Zammit), R. Grech, O. Farrugia (J. Mizzi), J. Xerri (A. Briffa).

(A. Fotso 42’)

J. Xuereb, A. Fotso, P. Camilleri, Js. Vella, Jh. Vella, M. Xerri, J. Azzopardi (Js. Azzopardi), C. Camilleri, J. Cefai, I. Aly, R. Buttigieg.

  Xewkija Tigers obtained their first points in the championship with an unexpected close win over Victoria Hotspurs.  Xewkija’s win matured as a result of a determined performance.  They were adventurous during the first period, scored the decisive goal in the dying moments of the first half and defended throughout the second period to resists Victoria’s assault.  The Hotspurs had a slow start but recovered and had a good patch of play midway through the first period.  The Hotspurs created intensive pressure over their opponents during the second period but they were not sharp in their finishing and became nervous as time passed by.  Xewkija had Christian Bugeja missing due to suspension, while the Hotspurs had Daniel Farrugia missing due to an injury.

  The Tigers came out more aggressive and in the 4^th minute they went very close to scoring.  Chris Camilleri entered the area from the right flank and from his pass Rodney Buttigieg’s shot ended just high.  The Hotspurs settled better as time passed by and on 24 minute they went close to scoring through a low shot by Uchenna Anyanwu that was partially saved by goalie Jonathan Xuereb and the defense managed to clear the danger with some difficulty. 

 Four minutes later the citizens were unlucky when a header by Eric Nkwankwo following a corner action hit the crossbar.  The Hotspurs were punished for the missed chances and Xewkija opened the score three minutes form half time.

  Victoria’s rearguard failed to clear a free kick from an angled position by Chris Camilleri and Andreas Fotso came from the second post to guide the ball into an empty goal.  Seconds from half time Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima was called to make a difficult save to turn in corner a long ranged free kick by Chris Camilleri.

  After the break the Hotspurs seemed determined to recover the score and produced pressure over their opponents.  In the 58^th minute Uchenna Anyanwu had a good shot addressed to the low corner but the ball was deflected by the defense in corner.  The Hotspurs went again close to level the score on 62 minutes when an attempt from a melee from a corner action was cleared off the fatal line by Joseph Cefai with the goalkeeper beaten.  Five minutes later Eric Nkwankwo took advantage of some hesitation at Xewkija’s rearguard but his shot ended just wide.  Three minutes later a half volley by John Paul Grima following a cross by Eric Nkwankwo hit the post.  The Hotspurs suffered a set back on 78 minutes when Alex Tramboo was sent off for a foul on Chris Camilleri.  However, Victoria wer again dangerous six minutes from time and goalie Jonathan Xuereb had good timing to save the ball before Nkwankwo could conclude a cross by Anyanwu.  During stoppage time the match was stopped for a while following a challenge off the ball by Victoria’s Anyanwu and Xewkija’s Josmar Vella which ended with Victoria having their second player sent off as Michael Vella was shown a second yellow card.  For the remaining seconds of play Xewkija controlled their area to defend their one goal lead until the final whistle.

Referee: Glenn Tonna

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