ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

DIRECT CLASH AGAINST RELEGATION ENDS IN A DRAW

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, A Buttigieg (J Debrincat), M Tabone, E Nkwocha (M Vella), H Grech, M Stojanovic, FL Adilson, M Azzopardi, JP Mizzi

I Aktpan, P Camilleri, B Portelli, G Cefai, D Abela, A Fotso, M Mifsud, M Cordina (M Bonello), P Said (C Portelli), C Attard, D Lautier

    Kercem Ajax and Qala St Joseph earned a point each from a goalless draw so that at the end of the second round the two teams remain at the bottom of the table with the same points. The two sides needed a victory from this direct clash in an attempt to reach Xaghra and open a lead over the direct opponent. At the end it was a just result as neither of the two teams managed to be superior to the other.

    Play was quite balanced during the first period where the defensive departments were generally in control of the respective strikers. Kercem were dangerous in the 21^st minute when an effort by Mario Azzopardi from a corner action was saved well by goalie Inim Aktpan.

   Qala replied four minutes later with a free kick by Mario Mifsud that was saved by Courtney Mercieca and in the 26^th minute a direct corner kick by Qala’s Charlie Attard hit the crossbar. Qala had their best scoring opportunity in the 37^th minute when Dione Lautier was released in the area but goalie Mercieca made a difficult save to turn in corner. Three minutes later Kercem’s Franklin Adilson entered the area, dribbled the goalkeeper but his good move was concluded badly by substitute Malcolm Vella.

    The two teams increased their rhythm just after the break. In the 52^nd minute Kercem lost a good scoring opportunity when a shot by Milos Stojanovic was partially saved by goalie Aktpan but Malcolm Vella failed to take the rebound and from the resultant melee Adilson’s attempt was saved by Aktpan.

   Qala replied two minutes later with a free kick by Mario Mifsud that was well saved by goalie Merceica. However, as time passed by play took place in the midfield and the two goalkeepers were not called much into action. Kercem had the best opportunities to win the match.

   In the 73^rd minute Jean Paul Mizzi was floored in the area by Andreas Fotso. The referee awarded a penalty but Franklin Adilson’s shot from the spot kick was saved by goalie Inim Aktpan. In the fourth minute of stoppage time Qala’s defender Paul Camilleri saved the point from his side when he cleared off the goalmouth a close ranged effort by Malcolm Vella who took the rebound from goalie Aktpan following a shot by Stojanovic.

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY