MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

KERCEM SURPRISE LEADERS

  Kercem Ajax registered the biggest surprise of the championship so far when they inflicted a defeat to current leaders Victoria Hotspurs.  This was the last match of the second round and the two sides needed the maximum points for different ambitions.  The Hotspurs were aiming to take full advantage of Ghajnsielem’s slip to increase their leadership, while Kercem needed the points to get away from the bottom of the table.  The Hotspurs might have had an over-confident approach to this match and ended up short of motivation when they needed to recover the one-goal deficit.  On the other hand the Ajax maintained concentration throughout the ninety minutes and obtained three precious points which lefts them from the bottom of the table and puts them on equal points with SK Victoria Wanderers and Xewkija Tigers in the tussle against relegation.

  Play was quite interesting during the first period as Kercem were not conditioned by their more quoted opponents.  The Ajax were well deployed to protect their area and very often threatened their opponents with counter breaks.  In the 4th minute the Ajax were dangerous through a cross-shot by Jonathan Mercieca that was turned in corner by goalie Mark Grima.  From the same corner action a header by Milos Stojanovic hit the post.  The Hotspurs replied two minutes later through an effort by Martin Hanus that was neutralized by goalie Courtney Mercieca.  In the 7th minute Victoria’s John Paul Grima entered the area from the left flank and from his pass a good shot by Jesmond Xerri hit the crossbar.  From the rebound Martin Hanus’s header was saved by the goalkeeper.

  Kercem were again dangerous on 15 minutes.  Eman Hussein entered Victoria’s territory in a fast break and from his pass Chidi Achokwu’s shot ended just high.  Five minutes later Victoria’ Eric Nkwankwo had a shot from outside the area that missed the target and on 27 minutes it was Kercem’s Milos Stojanovic who had a direct free kick that ended on the roof of the net.  Seconds before the break the Hotspurs penetrated Kercem’s rearguard with a cross by substitute Oliver Farrugia but Eric Nkwankwo hesitated and his shot was blocked in corner.

  The citizens increased their pressure after the restart and in the 50th minute a long ranged shot by Julius Emanche ended just high.  Three minutes later Kercem’s goalkeeper Courtney Merceica deflected on the crossbar a direct free kick by Jason Portelli and on 55 minutes a long ranged attempt by the same Portelli ended just high.  However, Kercem opened the score in the 56th minute, in their first approach in Victoria’s area of the second period.  A free kick by Jose Alberto Dimas was headed badly by Alex Tramboo, the ball arrived to Chidi Achokwu who surprised goalie Mark Grima with a fine volley.  The Hotspurs were not demoralized and two minutes later a direct free kick by John Paul Grima ended just high.  One minute later Kercem went close to scoring following a fast break by Achokwu but from his cross a header by Leonard Camilleri was saved by goalie Mark Grima.  On 63 minutes Victoria’s John Paul Grima lost a sitter when he concluded wide an inviting cross from the left by Jason Portelli.  On 76 minutes Kercem’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was called to make a good save following a shot from the edge of the area by Jason Portelli.  The same goalkeeper made another good intervention on 79 minutes to turn in corner a strike by Noel Borg.  Goalie Mercieca was the protagonists in the dying moments as he denied the Hotspurs from leveling the score with two fine saves.  In the 88th minute the goalkeeper turned in corner with difficulty a strike by Jason Portelli and two minutes later he neutralized an effort by substitute Ryan Grech.  In the second minute of stoppage time the Hotspurs could have clinched a dramatic equalizer but an effort by Alex Tramboo from a cross by Jason Portelli hit the woodwork.

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