ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

DRAMATIC VICTORY FOR THE HOTSPURS

    Contenders for the title Victoria Hotspurs gained sole leadership on the table with a dramatic victory over Xaghra United, with two points ahead of Nadur Youngsters, the latter however have a game in hand. The Hotspurs therefore obtained the double over the same Xaghra.

  It was a hard earned victory which arrived with a late goal scored by prolific striker Ricardo Saverino. Xaghra had an excellent performance.

  They created more danger than their opponents during the match but were punished in the dying moments when the rearguard was surprised by the Brazilian's personal action.

    Victoria came out more aggressive than their opponents but found it difficult to create danger to Xaghra’s goalie Donald Gauci. The Blues were more dangerous and in the 3^rd minute Victoria’s goalie saved well a long ranged free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro.

   In the 17^th minute Xaghra could have opened the score. Mark Buhagiar took advantage of a mishap by the goalkeeper but his shot addressed to an empty goal was blocked in corner by defender Chris Attard.

   The Hotspurs replied with a free kick by Ricardo Saverino that ended just over the crossbar.

    In the 24^th minute Xaghra’s Blanco de Castro was again dangerous with a typical long ranged free kick and ten minutes later a goal by Abdul Mutalib was disallowed following an indication by the assistant referee since Larry Buttigieg’s cross was made when the ball crossed the line.

     In the 40^th minute Victoria’s goalie Grima blocked well on Mutalib who entered the area and minutes later Ricardo Saverino failed to conclude from a favourable position when Xaghra’s rearguard failed to clear a cross by Marvin Buttigieg.

    In the first minute of the second period Victoria’s Jason Portelli had a long ranged shot that ended just wide and in the 49^th minute Xaghra replied with an angled shot by Philip Atard that was blocked in corner.

    Three minutes later Xaghra’s Sylvan Galea had a good header from a corner action that ended just over the crossbar. Victoria were again dangerous in the 58^th minute with a good attempt by Jason Portelli that was well saved by goalie Gauci.

   The Hotspurs increased their efforts in the final minutes but Xaghra continued to be well organised and their goalkeeper was not called to make difficult saves.

   In the 83rd minute Xaghra had a golden opportunity to open the score when Sylvan Galea released Mark Buhagiar in the area but the latter's angled shot ended just wide. Victoria scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute through Ricardo Saverino who entered the area from the right and placed in goal with a close ranged strike.

   Xaghra lost heir nerves and in the fourth minute of stoppage time they had substitute Josef Galea sent off for retaliation.

Referee:   Joe Agius

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY