MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

WANDERERS MAINTAIN WINNING START

(A. Fotso 90+2’)

J. Xuereb, Jh. Vella, P. Camilleri, Js. Vella, J. Xerri (M. Xerri), A. Fotso, J. Cefai, C. Camilleri, C. Bugeja, R. Buttigieg (J. Azzopardi), B. Chibueze (S. Mercieca).

SK Victoria Wanderers registered their second consecutive victory in the championship in their match against Xewkija Tigers.  It was a hard-earned win as Xewkija held the initiative of play for long stretches and also lost some good scoring opportunities.  The Wanderers were cynical. They opened the score in their first serious action and managed to resist Xewkija’s reaction.  At the end the citizens took advantage of an extra man on the field and administered their lead in the final stages of the match.  Xewkija had a positive approach to the match and seemed determined to obtain their first point in the championship.  However, they were not sharp in front of goal, lost a penalty kick and were demoralized as they ended with a player less on the field.

For this match the Tigers had three debutants in their starting line-up, namely goalie Jonathan Xuereb (ex-Ghajnsielem), Chris Camilleri (ex-Marsaxlokk) and Basil Chibueze (ex-Zebbug Rovers).

Xewkija came out more aggressive and created some danger in Victoria’s area during the initial stages.  In the 3^rd minute Victoria’s rearguard cleared with difficulty a cross from the left by Chris Camilleri but Christian Bugeja’s shot from the edge of the area missed the target.  Four minutes later Fotso unmarked Basil Chibueze in the area from a long ranged free kick by Chris Camilleri, but Chibueze’s header was well saved by goalie Adrian Parnis.  Victoria replied in the 8^th minute through a direct free kick by Ige Adesina that was saved with difficulty by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.  In the 18^th minute the Tigers lost a golden scoring opportunity when Christian Bugeja won a ball in the area from a long ranged free kick by Joseph Cefai but the striker incredibly concluded wide from close distance.  Three minutes later the Wanderers opened the score.  Ige Adesina produced a fast break and from the resultant action Manwel Cordina released Ajibade Adesina in Xewkija’s territory.  The latter dribbled the goalkeeper and placed easily into an open goal.  Xewkija were not demoralized and in the 26^th minute they could have leveled the score.  The referee awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Parnis on Basil Chibueze but Christian Bugeja’s shot from the spot kick hit the base of the post and ended wide.  Seconds from half time, Victoria’s goalie Parnis was well placed to save an angled shot by Chibueze following a through pass by Chris Camilleri.

After the resumption Xewkija continued to insist for the equaliser and in the 48^th minute a header by Rodney Buttigieg from a corner kick by Joseph Cefai was saved by goalie Parnis.  Minutes later the same goalkeeper was called to neutralize a long ranged attempt by Chris Camilleri and a header by Christian Bugeja from a cross by Joseph Cefai.  In the 56^th minute Xewkija’s goalie Xuereb saved in corner an angled shot by Ajibade Adesina.  Xewkija were again dangerous through a low shot by Fotso from outside the area that ended wide.  However, the citizens doubled the score on 64 minutes.  Ajibade Adesina released Manwel Cordina with a through pass; the latter resisted to a challenge from his direct opponent and placed in goal with a low angled shot.  Xewkija suffered a further set-back seven minutes later when they ended with a player less on the field as Josmar Vella was sent off for a second caution.  Victoria almost took immediate advantage of the extra player on the field but a goal by Ajibade Adesina, who guided the ball in goal a low angled shot by substitute Joseph Vella, was disallowed for an offside infringement.  However, the Wanderers increased the score in the 77^th minute through a low angled shot by Ige Adesina following a solo effort on the left flank.  Five minutes from time the same Adesina had a close ranged effort that hit the post and from the rebound Joseph Vella’s tap-in was cleared off the line by substitute Manwel Xerri.  Seconds later another attempt by the same Adesina ended wide. 

Xewkija produced a good effort in the dying moments of the match.  They scored their consolation goal in the second minute of stoppage time through a header by Andreas Fotso from a free kick by Joseph Cefai.  Seconds later a low shot by Christian Bugeja following a solo effort was saved by goalie Parnis.  Parnis was called to make two other difficult saves, in the fourth minute of stoppage time following a strike by substitute Joseph Azzopardi and seconds from the final whistle to turn in corner a direct free kick by Chris Camilleri.   Referee: Anton Zammit

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