MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

HOTSPURS CLINCH SOLE LEADERSHIP

(S. Rais 90+2’)

P. Galea, P. Spiteri, S. Rais, A. Debono, M. Azzopardi, B. Njoku, J. Portelli, N. Filipov, F. DeAndrade, J. Camilleri, N. Micallef (F. Debono).

(N. Borg 18’, U. Anyanwu 32’)

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

Victoria Hotspurs lifted themselves to the top of the standings with a tight but convincing win over champions Sannat thereby achieving as well a double over the same Lions during the course of this championship.  Victoria paved they way for this victory with a determined display during the first half.  They stepped into the pitch seeking an early goal and they also managed to double their lead after just 30 minutes of play.  They controlled the rest of the match authoritatively so that Sannat rarely created any serious threats to their opponents.  With this defeat Sannat remain lodged in the bottom places of the standings and keep drifting further away from the possibility of defending their title.Victoria seemed to be the more offensive side in the early minutes and they were showing themselves in Sannat’s area with a certain frequency.  The first clear opportunity of goal came in the ninth minute to Uchenna Anyanwu who headed down a precise ball by Grech.  The ball bounced menacingly in front of Paul Galea but kept going over the crossbar.  Sannat finally showed up two minutes later when Johnnie Camilleri tried his luck from just outside the area with his shot finishing inches wide.  The Hotspurs, however, were relentless in their offensive and their insistence was rewarded on 18 minutes.  Noel Borg met with a powerfully header another inviting corner kick by Ryan Grech.  Sannat’s rearguard failed to clear and the ball crossed the line for the opener.  Contrary to what one would have expected the Reds did not release pressure off Sannat and their fluent manoeuvre was keeping their opponents further away from goal.  Cheered on by their supporters they followed to double their lead.  Nigerian forward Anyanwu won possession of the ball on the flank, powered his way towards the middle and unleashed a swerving shot that deflected off a defender and kept sailing behind Galea.  The Hotspurs continued dictating matters just a couple of minutes later an attempt by Eric Nkwankwo just missed the target.  The same Nkwankwo was dangerous seconds before the break when he worked the ball down the left flank and threw it in the path of Anyanwu who was, however, anticipated by Galea before the latter could conclude.The story of the match did not change in the second half although the game lost much of its intensity.  Just before the hour of play Fernando DeAndrade attempted a shot from the edge of the box but keeper Grima saved without much difficulty.  Sannat were dangerous again after on 78 minutes when substitute Frankie Debono headed wide from a favourable position.  The citizens, however, were still the most dangerous side and with ten minutes to go substitutes John Paul Grima and Ruben Mercieca connected well but found the solid opposition of goalkeeper Paul Galea who dived to avoid the third goal.  Sannat’s conviction started growing weaker and the feeble attempts by Johnnie Camilleri, whose shot was blocked by Julius Emanche, and Jason Portelli who concluded wide from long range seemed to prove the Lions’ diffidence.  Yet the match was from over as Nikolai Filipov’s shot led goalie Mark Grima to a rare slip and allowed Sabri Rais to guide the ball into an empty net.  Although the result was put in doubt, the Lions did not have sufficient time left to complete a possible comeback. Referee:  Kevin Azzopardi

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