|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE |
|
|
HOTSPURS EARN JOINT LEADERSHIP |
|
|
|
|
KERCEM AJAX
FC ...
 D. Gauci, F. Camilleri, M. Tabone, D. Sakic (S. Grech), A. Grech (L. Camilleri), D. Mercieca, J.P. Mizzi, M. Mamo, M. Stojanovic, M.A. Ribeiro, J. Debrincat. |
|
|
|
|
 VICTORIA
HOTSPURS
FC ... 
(U. Anyanwu 40’, 86’; O. Farrugia 54’, E. Nkwanko 70’, R. Mercieca
83’)M. Grima, E. Nkwankwo, U. Anyanwu, J. Emanche, N. Borg, O. Farrugia, R. Grech (M. Buttigieg), J. Xerri (R. Mercieca), M. Vella (A. Tramboo), A. Zammit, J.P. Grima. |
|
|
|
|
|
Title contenders for the title Victoria Hotspurs reach the top of the table in the last match of the first round against Kercem Ajax. It was a deserved win for the Hotspurs. They held command of play from the beginning, managed to open the score late in the first half and practically made sure of the three points with a second goal scored early into the second period. The Hotspurs scored three other goals in the final stages of the match as Kercem were nowhere to be seen. The Ajax had great expectations for this match as they could have reached the same Victoria on the table with a victory. They tried to control play at their defence but lost composure as they conceded the second goal in the early minutes of the second period. With this result the Ajax remain in the danger zone at the end of the first round of the championship. The Hotspurs came out more aggressive and held territorial supremacy for long stretches. They also had a good scoring opportunity in the 2nd minute through an angled shot by John Paul Grima that ended high. The Ajax were well deployed and kept danger away from their area. They also operated with counter breaks. In the 27th minute Kercem’s Marcos Aurelio Rbeiro had a free kick that missed the target and two minutes later Victoria’s Noel Borg and Eric Nkwankwo failed to connect to a free kick by Ucchenna Anyanwu. Two minutes after the half hour of play Kercem’s Milos Stojanovic had a good strike following a personal action that ended inches high. In the following action it was Victoria’s Anyanwu who did not manage to convert a back pass by Kercem’s defence and goalie Donald Gauci saved the danger. Six minutes from half time a header by Victoria’s Eric Nkwanko following a free kick by Anyanwu bounced in front of goal and ended over the crossbar. Victoria opened the score in the 40th minute. Eric Nkwankwo entered Kercem’s territory from the right flank and from his low pass Uchenna Anyanwu was at the right place to net the ball with a tap-in. Kercem’s reaction arrived two minutes later when Ribeiro released Marlon Mamo with a through pass but goalie Mark Grima came up to the edge of the area to block the danger. After the resumption Kercem tried to produce a reaction and in the 52nd minute they were dangerous through a low shot by Josef Debrincat that was well saved by goalie Mark Grima. However, Victoria replied one minute later with a dribble by Jesmond Xerri in Kercem’s area but his angled shot was neutralised by goalie Donald Gauci. In the 54th minute the Hotspurs doubled the score. Uchenna Anyanwu won a tussle outside the area with Kercem’s defender, from his cross an effort by Jesmond Xerri was blocked by the defence and from the rebound Oliver Farrugia concluded easily into an open goal. Kercem’s reaction was sterile as Victoria reduced the rhythm and administered play. Victoria also managed to increase the lead with a goal that arrived on 70 minutes. Eric Nkwankwo intercepted a back pass by Manuel Tabone addressed to the goalkeeper, and the striker placed easily into an open goal. Victoria could have added another goal to the tally but in the 80th minute Nkwankwo missed the ball when he was alone in the area following another wrong clearance by Kercem’s rearguard. Three minutes later Victoria scored their fourth goal. Nkwankwo crossed from the left flank, Anyanwu headed towards an unmarked substitute Ruben Mercieca and the latter placed easily into an empty goal. In the 85th minute the same Mercieca had a close ranged shot following a melee in the area blocked in corner. The Hotspurs sealed the issue with a fifth goal that was scored from the resultant corner action, where a cross by Nkwankwo arrived to Uchenna Anyanwu who fired in goal from the edge of the area. Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann |
|
|
|
|
MATCH PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
Website Designed By GOZO VISION STUDIO - FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY - MALTA TEL: (+356) 27565262 © GOZO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION 2009 - 2010 |
|
