ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

GHAJNSIELEM REGAIN THIRD SPOT ON THE TABLE

V Agius, J Grech, M Cremona, C Mercieca, FL Galea, B Meilak, J Camilleri (J Buttigieg), C Tabone, H Doda, J Ogbuleke, R Apap.

    Ghajnsielem recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match against Nadur Youngsters and obtained an important victory over Sannat Lions. The Blacks therefore obtained the double over the Lions and with the three points obtained they skipped the same Sannat on the table. This was in fact a direct clash for the third spot on the table and both sides had regular players missing for different reasons. Sannat were without Cristiano de Oliveira, while Ghajnsielem were without the services of Larry Buttigieg. Joseph Buttigieg only came in as a substitute, while Sannat’s Sabri rais had to leave the pitch midway through the second period due to an injury. The match was well contested. It could have easily ended in a draw but Sannat were not sharp in front of goal and Ghajnsielem’s goalie Victor Agius was in an excellent form to defend his goal.

    The Lions came out more aggressive than their opponents and produced some danger through fine moves by Fernando de Andrade. In the 12^th minute an angled shot by Sabri Rais following a clearance form a corner action ended just wide. The Blacks recovered from the difficult start and in the 20^th minute Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada turned in corner with difficulty a shot by Brian Meilak following a fast break by Jerry Ogbuleke. Minutes later, the same goalkeeper blocked a closed ranged shot by Ogbuleke. Sannat claimed for a penalty following a tussle in the area y Roderick Apap on de Andrade. Ghajnsielem opened the score in the 33^rd minute. Charlton Tabone released Frank Lee Galea on the edge of the area and the latter placed out of goalie’s reach with a fine lob. Sannat replied with a shot by Rais that ended over the crossbar and before half time an effort by Ogbuleke missed the target.

      After the break Sannat tried to produce a reaction and in the 47^th minute they could have levelled the score but de Andrade and Mark Muscat both failed to connect to an inviting cross by Paul Spiteri. The Lions kept insisting and in the 53^rd minute Ghajnsielem’s rearguard failed to clear a free kick by Paul Spiteri, Errol Grima won the lose ball, dribbled a defender but concluded badly with an open goal at his mercy. Two minutes later a shot by Mark Muscat ended just over the crossbar. In the 59^th minute Ghajnsielem’s goalie Victor Agius made a difficult save to clear a close ranged shot by Kenneth Mercieca following a fine move by de Andrade on the left flank. Minutes later Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada blocked on Haruna Doda who was entering the area and in the 71^st minute Ghajnsielem’s keeper was called to make two difficult save to block an effort by Paul Spiteri and Mark Muscat’s shot from the rebound. In the 83^rd minute Agius was once again called to make a difficult save following a shot from outside the area by Mario Cutajar and one minute later it was Sannat’s extreme defender who blocked well a good shot by Haruna Doda following a pass by substitute Joseph Buttigieg. Referee: Sammy Attard

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