ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

XAGHRA UNITED MOVE TO A SAFER PLACE ON THE TABLE

     Xaghra United confirmed their improvement in their previous match and obtained an important victory over Ghajnsielem. With the three points obtained the Blues move to a safer place on the table and open a gap over Qala St Joseph and Kercem Ajax in the tussle against relegation. Xaghra once again concentrated their deployment to control their opponents in their half but were sharp in their few actions at goal. This was Xaghra’s second consecutive victory in the campaign. Ghajnsielem disappointed in this match and failed to take advantage of Nadur’s and Sannat’s draw so that they not only failed to reduce gap from the leaders but may compromise their third position on the table.

     The Blacks had a better start and created some good scoring opportunities. A shot by Frank Lee Galea ended just wide and in the 4^th minute a header from a good position by John Camilleri ended over the crossbar. In the following minutes attempts by Jeremy Camilleri and Jerry Olgbuleke missed the target. Xaghra were dangerous in the 18^th minute through a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro that was saved with difficulty by goalie Victor Agius. Two minutes later a header by John Camilleri from David Carabott’s cross ended high while Xaghra’s goalie Donald Gauci saved with difficulty a close ranged shot by Charles Mercieca from a corner kick by David Carabott. In the 33^rd minute John Camilleri had a goal disallowed for an offside position and in the 37^th minute goalie Donald Gauci saved a header by Olgbuleke following a corner by David Carabott. The same Carabott had an angled shot in the 44^th minute that ended wide. The Blacks were punished for the missed chances as Xaghra opened the score in the third minute of stoppage time before the break with a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro that surprised goalie Agius.

      After the break Xaghra seemed more confident and in the 47^th minute a low shot by Mark Buhagiar following a personal effort ended wide, and in the 58^th minute a goal by Abdul Mutalib was disallowed for an offside infringement. Ghajnsielem replied with a free kick by Brian Meilak that ended just over the crossbar. Minutes later a header by Jeremy Camilleri from a set piece by David Carabott ended wide. Xaghra doubled the score in the 71^st minute through a goal by Philip Attard following a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro. Ghajnsielem replied with a long ranged shot by Brian Meilak that ended just over the crossbar, while Xaghra were again dangerous in the 87^th minute through a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro that was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Victor Agius. From the corner kick a header by Josef Galea ended over the crossbar.    Referee:   Anton Zammit

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY