MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

THE HOTSPURS PUT THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP BACK ON TRACK

P. Galea, A. Debono (N. Micallef), F. Debono (R. Farrugia), M. Azzopardi, B. Njoku, N. Filipov, M. Formosa, J. Portelli, S. Rais, J. Camilleri, R. Saverino.

(U. Anyanwu 78’, R. Mercieca 84’)

M. Grima, M. Vella, J.P. Grima, J. Emanche, N. Borg, J. Mizzi(R. Grech), J. Xerri, O. Farrugia (R. Mercieca), E. Nkwankwo, U. Anyanwu, A. Tamboo (D. Farrugia).

  Victoria Hotspurs obtained an important victory over reigning champions Sannat Lions and obtained their first points of the campaign.  The citizens recovered from the defeat conceded in their first match of the campaign, produced a good match and managed to win the match with late goals.  Sannat tried to make up for the defeat conceded against the same Hotspurs in the Independence Cup final.  They shared play with their opponents for long stretches and created as much scoring opportunities, but became fragile in the final stages of the match and did not have enough energy to recover the score in the remaining minutes.  Sannat had Fernando de Andrade missing in this match due to suspension and Mark Muscat due to an injury.  Ricardo Saverino was making a return for the Lions after a spell with Qala and Victoria Hotspurs.

  Play was quite balanced in the early stages as the two sides were aiming to score an early goal.  However, the two defensive departments were well deployed and the two goalkeepers were not called to make any difficulty interventions during the first phase of the encounter.  Victoria’s Eric Nkwankwo could have done better on 12 minutes after receiving from Uchenne Anyanwu but his lob ended well over the crossbar.  Sannat’s John Camilleri was as much erratic one minute later when he concluded badly from an ideal position.  In the 36^th minute Sannat were dangerous through a half volley from a cross by Nikolai Filipov that ended wide.  Five minutes later Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima was well placed to save a free kick by Ricardo Saverino.  One minute from half time Sannat’s goalie Paul Galea turned in corner a header by Anyanwu.

  After the resumption the Sannat seemed more aggressive and in the 51^st minute a strike from outside the area by Sabri Rais ended high.  However, the Hotspurs soon recovered and on 59 minute they went close to open the score.  A header by Anyanwu from a cross by Nkwankwo was partially saved by goalie Paul Galea and from the rebound the same goalkeeper blocked Oliver Farrugia’s close ranged attempt. 

  Two minutes later Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima saved with difficulty in corner a low shot by John Camilleri following a solo action and in the following action the same goalkeeper blocked a good effort by Jason Portelli. 

  From the resultant melee Ricardo Saverino incredibly concluded high from an ideal position.  In the 74^th minute Sannat once again lost a good scoring opportunity as Sabri Rais concluded high from close distance following a cross from the right by John Camilleri.  The Hotspurs opened the score in the 78^th minute.  Jesmond Xerri released Uchenne Anyanwu in Sannat’s territory and the Nigerian striker fired in goal as goalie Galea tried to block the danger.  Sannat were shocked and two minutes later goalie Galea saved in corner an effort by Jesmond Xerri.  The Hotspurs made sure of the three points six minutes from time when substitute Ruben Mercieca surprised goalie Paul Galea with a long ranged shot.

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