MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

CLOSE WIN EARNS GHAJNSIELEM THREE PRECIOUS POINTS

  A goal scored in the fourth minute of play of the second period by Alex Simoncic earned three precious points to title contenders Ghajnsielem from their match against Sannat Lions.  The match was well contested as the two sides needed the maximum points for different ambitions.  Sannat need to get away from the relegation zone while Ghajsielem need the points to maintain their challenge with Victoria Hotspurs for the title.  Victory therefore could have gone either way.  Sannat were undoubtedly the better side during the first period but they lost too many open scoring opportunities so that they ended up compromising the result.  Ghajnsielem have the merit to recover from a disappointing performance during the first period and scored what had to be the decisive goal so early into the second period.  The Blacks were in the driving seat after the break and could have easily made sure of maximum points at an earlier stage.  For this match Sannat fielded for the first time the Cameroonian midfielder Moussa Bamba.

  Sannat came out very aggressive and in the 4^th minute John Camilleri was stopped in the area by defender David Debattista following a solo action.  Just after the quarter of an hour a shot by Errol Grima was blocked in corner by the rearguard.  In the following minutes Sannat produced some pressure over Ghajnsielem’s rearguard and the same Grima released Sabri Rais but the latter has his effort ended wide.  The Blacks replied on 23 minutes through an angled shot by Kenneth Mercieca that was blocked in corner by Sannat’s rearguard.  Two minutes later Sannat’s goalie Paul Galea cleared a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic.  On 26 minutes Sannat’s John Camilleri had a good effort from the edge of the area that ended just high.  On 32 minutes the same Camilleri once again failed to find the net from a good position.  Debutant Moussa Bamba unmarked Sannat’s John Camilleri two minutes later but his lob over goalie Joseph Grech ended wide.  In the 33rd minute Moussa Bamba had a strike form outside the area that was neutralized in two attempts by goalie Joseph Galea.  Eight minutes from half time Ghajnsielem were dangerous through a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic that missed the target.  Sannat gave away another good scoring opportunity on 43 minutes when John Camilleri had a low angled shot as he was facing the goalkeeper that ended wide.

  After the resumption Ghajnsielem seemed more determined and Sannat were immediately punished for the chances missed during the first period.  On 49 minute Alex Simoncic surprised goalie Paul Galea from long ranged direct free kick to score what had to be the decisive goal.  Sannat were shocked and the Blacks continued to dictate matter.  On 69 minutes Sannat produced their first serious approach to Ghajnsielem’s area but Paul Spiteri’s attempt from a corner kick by Nikolai Filipov was well saved by goalie Joseph Grech.  Three minutes later Ghajnsielem’s Thaigo Dos Santos entered Sannat’s territory in a fast break but his shot ended wide.  On 75 minutes another attempt by Dos Santos following a solo action missed the target.  The Blacks continued to be more dangerous in the final stages of the match.  On 89 minutes Sannat’s goalie Paul Galea kept his side in contention with a fine save following an attempt by Rodrigo Cariaga.  Three minutes later a strike by Brian Meilak missed the target and in the 89th minute goalie Galea saved in two attempts a free kick by Alex Simoncic.  In the following action the same goalkeeper cleared with difficulty a cross from the flank by Kenneth Mercieca.  In the 90th minute Sabri Rais cleared from Sannat’s goalmouth a melee in the area and in the first minute of stoppage time a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic shaved the crossbar.  Sannat went closest to score a dramatic equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time through an effort by substitute Nicholas Micallef that ended just wide.  Seconds form the final whistle Sannat’s goalie Galea was well placed to deny Kenneth Mercieca from scoring the second goal from close distance following a fine move by Thiago Dos Santos.

Referee: Mario Apap

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