MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

AJAX WIN CLASH AGAINST BOTTOM PLACE

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

  (M. Tabone 11’, 71’; M. Mamo 85’, 90’)

C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, M.Tabone, D. Sakic (A. Grech), D. Mercieca, J. P. Mizzi, M. Mamo, M. Stojanovic, E. Hussein, M.A. Ribeiro, J. Debrincat (L. Camilleri).

Kercem Ajax registered their second win in the championship in their match against Xewkija Tigers.  The two teams were both at the bottom of the table with the same points before this match and therefore they both needed the three points to move away from the danger zone.  At the end Kercem’s win was well deserved.  They seemed more determined, took and early lead and managed to administer play for the rest of the match.  Kercem practically dominated the final stages of the encounter, during which they scored three goals that sealed the issue.  Xewkija had a disappointing performance.  They were probably over confident in their approach to this match especially following their victory registered in their last outing.  The protagonists of the match were undoubtedly Kercem’s Manuel Tabone and Marlon Mamo who scored a brace each.

Xewkija seemed in a better shape during the first minutes of play and in the 4^th minute Christian Bugeja concluded weak from a good position and goalie Courtney Mercieca saved without difficulty. Kercem soon started to share play with their opponents and opened the score in the 11^th minute.  A cross from the right flank by Frankie Camilleri following a corner action arrived to an unmarked Manuel Tabone and the latter placed in goal with a first timer that surprised goalie Jonathan Xuereb.  Minutes later Kercem’s Josef Debrincat had a good effort that missed the target.  Xewkija tried to produce a reaction and long ranged shots by Chris Camilleri midway through the first half ended just wide.  On 24 minutes Kercem were dangerous with a long ranged effort by Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro that ended just wide.  Four minutes later Xewkija’s Christian Bugeja had a low shot that was neutralized by goalie Courtney Mercieca.  In the same action Bugeja and his direct opponent Eman Hussein had retaliation and both players were sent for an early shower by the referee so that both Kercem and Xewkija ended with ten players on the field.  On the half hour of play Kercem’s Danijel Sakic had an attempt directly from a free kick that was saved in corner by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.

After the resumption Xewkija increased their efforts in an attempt to recover the deficit and in the 47^th minute a strike by Chris Camilleri ended wide.  One minute later Kercem’s goalkeeper Courtney Mercieca was called to save a direct free kick by Joseph Cefai.  On 52 minutes Kercem went close to scoring but a direct free kick by Marcos Aurelio Riberio was blocked by goalie Xuereb and the defense cleared the danger from the goalmouth.  On 61 minutes Kercem’s goalie Mercieca was well placed to save a header by Andreas Fotso from a corner kick by Joseph Cefai.  Kercem’s Milos Stojanovic hesitated on 70 minutes following a through pass by Josef Debrincat.  However, the Ajax managed to double the score one minute later.  Milos Stojanovic entered Xewkija’s territory from the left flank and from his low pass Manuel Tabone had his first attempt blocked by the defense but the same player netted from the rebound.  Xewkija were confused and three minutes later goalie Xuereb blocked an effort by Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro following a personal action.  On 78 minutes Xewkija suffered another set back as they ended with nine players when Patrick Camilleri received a second caution.  Kercem were now in the driving seat and in the 85^th minute they increased the lead with a strike by Marlon Mamo following an inviting through pass by Milos Stojanovic.  One minute later Kercem’s goalie Mercieca denied Andreas Fotso from scoring a consolation goal and on 90 minutes Kercem sealed the issue with the fourth goal.  On this occasion it was once again Marlon Mamo who netted the ball with a tap-in following a fine move on the left flank by Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro. 

Referee: Paul Caruana

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