MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

EARLY GOAL DECIDES CITY DERBY

A. Parnis, J. Refalo, S. Gatt, A. Williams, D.U. Monday (L. Dimech), M. Buttigieg, C. Sciortino, A. Adesina, J. Vella, I. Adesina, M. Cordina.

(U. Anyanwu 17’)

M. Grima, J.P. Grima, A. Zammit, R. Grech (M. Buttigieg), J. Emanche, J. Xerri (J. Azzopardi), N. Borg, O. Farrugia, R. Mercieca (A. Briffa), E. Nkwankwo, U. Anyanwu.

  Victoria Hotspurs earned three precious points from the derby win against SK Victoria Wanderers and made up for the disappointing results registered in their previous match.  With this victory the Hotspurs reached the same Wanderers on nine points and can still, potentially, end the first round at the top of the table.  For this match the Hotspurs had Alex Tramboo and Michael Vella suspended, while Daniel Farrugia was missing due to an injury.  However, their replacements had an excellent performance as the Hotspurs administered play throughout the ninety minutes.  They were superior in midfield and well-deployed in the defensive department.  The reds reduced pressure as they scored the goal that decided the issue, on the other hand the Wanderers only managed to create some danger from set-pieces.  The Wanderers seemed to have a prudent approach for this match but at the end they compromised their chances to clinch at least a point as they found it extremely difficult to produce a determined reaction.

  The Hotspurs saw more of the ball during the first period, as the Wanderers tried to control their area and operate mainly with counter breaks.  The Wanderers produced the first attempt at goal in the 5^th minute through a shot from outside the area by Ige Adesina that was neutralized by goalie Mark Grima.  Six minutes later the Hotspurs were dangerous through a header by Eric Nkwankwo from a cross by Uchenna Anyanwu that ended just wide.  In the 12^th minute Ige Adesina released Ajibade Adesina in the opponents’ area but the latter concluded wide form an angled position.  The Hotspurs had an immediate reply through a shot on the run by Nkwankwo that missed the target.  However, the Hotspurs opened the score on 17 minutes.  

  It was Uchenna Anyanwu who had to timing to head into an open goal a cross from the left by John Paul Grima before goalie Parnis could clear the danger.  The Hotspurs continued to be the better side as the Wanderers had difficulties to recover and administer play in the midfield. 

  The Wanderers created their first attempt to recover the deficit on 29 minutes but Ige Adesina’s header from a long ranged free kick was neutralized by goalie Mark Grima.  The Wanderers produced another attempt on 37 minutes but Ige Adesina’s shot was weak and goalie Mark Grima saved without any difficulty.  Minutes later the Hotspurs were dangerous through a low shot by Eric Nkwankwo following a solo action that missed the target.  On 40 minutes a first timer by John Paul Grima from a cross by Anyanwu ended just high.  One minute later Ajibade Adesina headed wide in front of an open goal as goalie Grima failed to catch a long rnaged cross.  However, the same goalkeeper was well placed one minute later to save s shot from a free kick by Chris Sciortino that was deflected by the defense.

  For the second period play continued to be the same as the Hotspurs maintined their control of the midfield.  In the 52^nd minute they were also dangerous through a low shot by Nkwankwo that was saved by goalie Adrian Parnis.  One minute later the Wanderers replied with a header by Manuel Cordina that was easily saved by goalie Grima and on 55 minutes Anyanwu crossed from the right but Nkwankwo’s header ended high.  The Wanderers tried to increase their efforts but the Hotspurs were well in control of play and the former found it extremely difficult to create danger.  On 66 minutes the Wanderers had an attempt directly from a free kick by Joseph Vella that was blocked without difficulty by Grima.  Seven minutes later a shot by Ige Adesina from a short clearance by the defense ended high.  The Wanderers had their best opportunity to level the score on 78 minutes.  Ajibade Adesina entered the Hotspurs area from the left flank but from his inviting cross Ige Adesina incredibly concluded high from an ideal position.  Four minutes later a shot by Joseph Vella from outside the area ended over the crossbar.  Minutes later it was Mark Buttigieg who headed wide a free kick by Joseph Vella.  In the dying moments the Hotspurs released their area from pressure and in the second minute of stoppage time substitute Justin Azzopardi had a long ranged effort that ended just high.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

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