ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

MATCH BETWEEN CONTENDERS FAVOURS NADUR

V Agius, M Cremona, R Apap, C Mercieca, J Buttigieg, B Meilak, J Camilleri (C Tabone), J Camilleri, H Doda, D Carabott, FL Galea

     Ghajnsielem and Victoria Hotspurs produced one of the most exciting matches of the championship so far and gained a point each from a draw of six goals. The two teams tried hard to win the full points at stake in an attempt to keep their challenge for the title with leaders Nadur Youngsters. At the end the final score favoured the leaders who can now extend their lead over the two sides in their next match. The final score could favour also Victoria Hotspurs who maintained a good gap over the same Ghajnsielem. The Blacks had John Camilleri (ex-Xaghra United) making his debut, while David Carabott was making a return with the club.

    The Blacks had a better start and held some pressure on Victoria’s rearguard from the early stages. They also opened the score in the 5^th minute. Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima saved partially a free kcik by Haruna Doda and skipper Jeremy Camilleri placed in goal from the rebound. Minutes later a strike by Brian Meilak ended just over the crossbar. The citizens levelled the score in their first approach in Ghajnsielem’s area. In the 9^th minute Jason Portelli’s cross from the right flank with placed in goal with a fine header by Fabiano Bassi. Play became more balanced as the two sides became more cautious. However, Ghajnsielem regained the lead in the 26^th minute from an identical action, and from the same spot, which led to the first goal. In this occasion it was David Carabott who had his shot from a free kick partially saved by goalie Grima and debutant John Camilleri was well placed to put in goal from close distance. The Hotspurs replied with a long ranged effort by Jason Portelli that hit the crossbar. Ghajnsielem were again dangerous in the 39^th minute through a shot by Carabott from a good position that missed the target and an effort by Doda that ended wide. The Hotspurs managed to level the score in the second minute of stoppage time through an own goal by Joseph Buttigieg, who headed in his goal in an attempt to clear a free kick by Jason Portelli.

     After the resumption Ghajnsielem were more aggressive and were dangerous from two corner kicks by David Carabott which were both headed wide by Charles Mercieca. Victoria failed to take advantage of a favourable situation in the 54^th minute when Ghajnsielem’s rearguard failed to clear the ball but Ricardo Saverino hesitated and failed to take a clear scoring opportunity. In the 65^th minute Ghajnsielem could have exploited better a good run by Carabott on the right flank, but John Camilleri concluded weak and goalie Mark Grima saved without difficulty. The Hotspurs replied with a shot by Anthony Briffa that was neutralised by goalie Victor Agius. Victoria’s goalkeeper made a good save in the 70^th minute to block a close ranged shot by Doda who was released in the area by Brian Meilak.

    The Blacks were punished immediately for the missed chance. Two minutes later Victoria took the lead for the first time in the match through an excellent personal action by Ricardo Saverino who concluded past goalie Agius with a well placed low shot.  Five minutes later Victoria’s Daniel Farrugia went close to increase the lead but his shot from outside the area ended just wide. Ghajnsielem scored the third equaliser of the match in the 81^st minute with a tap-in by John Camilleri and concluding an inviting cross from the left by Haruna Doda. In the following minutes Ghajnsielem’s goalie Agius was called to make difficult saves following shots by Ricardo Saverino and Fabiano Bassi. Ricardo Saverino also had a spectacular goal with an overhead kick in the 84^th minute disallowed by the referee for an offside infringement. Referee: Paul Apap

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY