ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

Close win for the blacks

     Ghajnsielem obtained a close victory over Qala St Joseph and with the points obtained they recovered their chances to reach the third spot on the table. The match was well contested as Qala were worthy opponents and determined to obtain points which can lift them away from the red zone. Ghajnsielem had goalie Victor Agius and Charles Mercieca missing due to injuries but had two debutants, Portuguese midfielder Victor Tavares and striker Domnick Okanu.

      The Blacks were more aggressive in the early stages but they failed to take the supremacy. The Saints were well deployed and created the first scoring opportunity in the 5^th minute through Joseph Xerri who had a low shot saved in corner by goalie Joseph Grech. Ghajnsielem replied four minutes later with a header by Tavares from a cross by Okanu that ended wide. In the 28^th minute Qala’s goalie Aktpan saved in corner an effort by Okanu and two minutes later Qala went close to scoring following a fast break by Dione Lautier but Joseph Xerri concluded badly from a good position. In the 36^th minute Ghajnsielem’s Okanu concluded wide when he was released in the area by John Camilleri and one minute later it was Ghajnsielem’s goalie Grech who was called to block a close ranged effort by Dione Lautier. Minutes later Qala’s Andreas Fotso had a shot from outside the area that missed the target.

     Play became more exciting after the break as the Maroons came out of their defence. In the 46^th minute Qala’s Peter Said had a low shot following a melee in the area that ended wide. One minute later Ghajnsielem’s Frank Lee Galea was unlucky when his lob from a pass by Okanu hit the woodwork. In the 50^th minute Qala’s Dione Lautier had a close ranged header form a cross by Joseph Xerri that was cleared off the line by Rodreick Apap. In the 61^st minute Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech was called to make a fine save following an attempt by Andreas Fotso and later the same goalkeeper blocked a shot from outsider the area by Manuel Cordina.

     In the 69^th minute a shot by Manuel Cordina following a solo effort missed the target and in an immediate reply John Camilleri’s shot from an angled position ended on the side of the net. The Blacks opened the score in the 71^st minute. Okanu entered the area from the left and from his pass Vitor Tavares had his first shot partially saved by goalie Aktpan but concluded in goal from the rebound. Qala could have levelled the score three minutes later but goalie Joseph Grech blocked Peter Said’s close ranged shot. The Black could have sealed the issue in the 87^th minute when Okanu was released in the area by John Camilleri but goalie Aktpan deflected in corner. The same Okanu was unlucky in the second minute of stoppage time but his shot following a personal action hit the post. Referee:   Anton Zammit

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT PHILIP CASSAR (MOBILE: 99403613)