ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

XAGHRA UNITED and GHAJNSIELEM SHARE THE SPOILS

D Gauci, J Bartolo, L Blanco de Castro, J Attard, J Camilleri, A Ribic, J Sultana, C Buttigieg, SF Bajada, M Buhagiar, J Galea

V Agius, R Apap, C Mercieca, J Buttigieg, B Meilak, J Attard, M Cremona, H Doda, L Buttigieg, N Slavchev, S Azzopardi (D Azzopardi)

     Xaghra United and Ghajsielem obtained a point each from a draw of four goals. This was Xaghra’s second consecutive draw but still without a victory after three matches in the campaign. On the other hand, the Blacks recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match. Ghajnsielem had their latest signing Haruna Doda making his debut but had Jeremy Camilleri and Frank Lee Galea missing. It was a just result. Xaghra were better during the first period and could have opened a three goal lead. However, Ghajnsielem produced a determined reaction after the break and managed to save the result with a good performance during the second period.

     The Blacks saw more of the ball in the initial stages. They were unlucky in the 8^th minute when an effort by Doda hit the post. In the 15^th minute Xaghra’s goalie Donald Gauci made a good save following a shot from outside the area by Brian Meilak.

    The Blues opened the score in their first serious approach at goal. Joseph Sultana passed to an unmarked John Camilleri in the area and the latter placed easily behind goalie Victor Agius with a low shot. Ghasielem were shocked and Xaghra took command of play.

    In the 40^th minute goalie Agius saved with difficulty a close ranged attempt by Joseph Sultana and two minutes later Xaghra doubled the score. It was Josef Galea who headed in goal from a corner kick by Alex Ribic with Ghajnsielem’s rearguard being at fault. In the dying moments of the first half goalie Agius denied Xaghra’s Mark Buhagiar and John Camilleri from increasing their lead with two fine saves in separate occasions.

     After the resumption Ghajnsielem came out determined to re-open the issue and went close to scoring with an angled shot by Joe Attard that ended just wide.

      In the 56^th minute Xaghra’s goalie Gauci made a fine save following another effort by the same Attard. Xaghar replied in the following action with a good attempt by John Camilleri that was neutralised by goalie Agius following a move by Mark Buhagiar. Ghajnsielem reduced the arrears in the 59^th minute with a tap-in by Doda to conclude and inviting pass by Joe Attard.

    Play became more interesting. Ghajnsielem maintained their momentum while Xaghra were threatening in their fast breaks. However, Ghajnsielem were rewarded for their efforts in the 68^th minute. Doda won a tussle with a defender on the right flank and from his pass Larry Buttigieg placed easily in goal from close distance.

    Ghajnsielem were again dangerous with a header by Charles Mercieca from a corner action that was saved by Gauci and in an immediate reply Xaghra’s Sammy Frank Bajada had a lob that ended over the crossbar. In the 86^th minute Ghajnsielem had an opportunity to obtain a dramatic victory but Larry Buttigieg’s lob from a good positon ended over the crossbar.

Referee:  George Portelli

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