ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

IMPORTANT POINT FOR THE SAINTS IN THEIR RELEGATION BATTLE

     Victoria Hotspurs failed to take advantage of Nadur’s slip as they were held to a draw by Qala St Joseph. The final result was just as the two teams aimed to win all the points at stake. The match was a contest between two teams who needed a victory for different reasons. The Hotspurs could have reduced their gap from the leaders with three points from this match, while the maroons were aiming to regain a safer place on the table. At the end, the point obtained satisfies Qala better although they do not improve their position on the table. The contest was quite slow during the first period, but the two teams made up after the break and produced some exciting moments which left the final score uncertain until the final whistle.

     The Hotspurs saw more of the ball during the first period but they found it difficult to create dangerous attempts to Aktpan’s goal. The Saints operated through fast breaks and created more dangerous actions. Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima was called to make good saves following two shots by Peter Said and an effort by Denis Abela. Play until the end of the first half was mainly at the midfield and the two goalkeepers were not called to make difficult saves.

     The Saints opened the score after only 49 seconds of play in the second period. Dione Lautier had his cross from an angled position deflected by Daniel Farrugia and the ball ended out of Mark Grima’s reach in the upper corner of the far post. The Hotspurs replied with a free kick by Jason Portelli that missed the target. Victoria leveled the score in the 57^th minute from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Paul Camilleri on Ricardo Saverino, and converted by the same Saverino. Minutes later Qala were dangerous through an effort by Dione Lautier following a fast break that was well saved by goalie Mark Grima. Five minutes later it was Qala’s goalie Aktpan who blocked a close ranged attempt by Noel Borg.

    Victoria were awarded a second penalty in the 72^nd minute for a foul by Glenn Cefai on substitute Joseph Mizzi and Ricardo Saverino converted from the spot kick to put his side in the lead. However, the Saints had an immediate reaction and three minutes later debutant Manwel Cordina (ex-Zebbug Rovers) who came in as a substitute, leveled the score with a close ranged header from a free kick by Joseph Xerri.

    In the 81^st minute Qala were again dangerous with a header by Andreas Fotso from a corner action that ended just over the crossbar. In the final minutes the two sides tried to obtain the victory but an effort by Manwel Cordina was saved in corner by Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima, while Qala’s keeper Aktpan saved his goal following a long ranged attempt by Andrew Zammit.  Referee:   Reno Refalo

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY