ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

LIONS OBTAIN DOUBLE OVER THE AJAX

D Bajada, P Spiteri, F Debono (S Rais), C de Oliveira, A Debono (N Micallef), J Agius, M Muscat, M Cutajar, F de Andrade, E Grima, K Mercieca.

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, G Conti (J Debrincat), D Stojanovic, M Tabone, E Nkwocha, A Ribic (M Vella), M Azzopardi, JP Mizzi, E Hussain.

     Sannat Lions regained the third spot on the table with three points obtained form a victory over bottom placed Kercem Ajax. The Lions practically made sure of the three points with a good performance in the final stages of the match, ironically during a period when they had a player less on the field of play.

     The Ajax tried hard to register their first victory of the campaign, but confirmed their limitations so that they were not able to avoid another defeat.

     Kercem tried to surprise their opponents in the early stages and went close to scoring through a long ranged shot by Frankie Camilleri that ended just wide. The Lions replied with a free kick by Errol Grima which was well saved by goalie Courtney Mercieca.

     In the 13^th minute the Ajax were dangerous with a low shot by Alex Ribic that was saved by goalie Demis Bajada. In the 21^st minute Sannat opened the score. Kenneth Mercieca unmarked Frankie Debono in the area and the latter placed in goal with a low shot. Kercem’s reaction arrived near the end of the first half. In the 42^nd minute a header by Manuel Tabone following a cross by John Paul Mizzi was saved by goalie Demis Bajada and in the 44^th minute they scored the equaliser. It was Gothard Conti who netted from close distance following a pass by Ejofor Nkwocha.

     Sannat ended with a player less on the field of play in the 53^rd minute when Cristiano de Oliveira was red carded for a foul on Alex Ribic who was entering the area. From the resultant free kick Stojanovic’s shot ended wide and later the same Serbian midfielder had a good header form a free kick by Mario Azzopardi that just missed the target. Kercem kept territorial superiority but failed to produce dangerous action.

    The Ajax were punished in the 71^st minute as Sannat regained the lead. A close ranged shot by Fernando de Andrade was blocked by the defence and from the rebound the same Brazilian striker crossed to Mark Muscat who headed easily into an empty goal. Kercem replied with a free kick by Frankie Camilleri that ended just wide. In the 77^th minute Sannat’s Errol Grima went close to increase the lead with a shot from outside the area that ended wide. Kercem suffered a setback in their attempt to save the result in the 85^th minute when skipper Frankie Camilleri was sent off for retaliation.

     Sannat lost a good scoring opportunity in he 5^th minute of stoppage time when Fernando de Andrade entered the area but had his shot blocked by goalie Courtney Mercieca. From the rebound substitute Nicaholas Micallef’s shot hit the post.

   The Ajax could have saved the match in the following action but substitute Joseph Debrincat failed to conclude from close distance following a mishap at Sannat’s defence. In the seventh minute of stoppage time Sannat Were awarded a penalty when Darko Stojanovic floored Fernando de Andrade. Stojanovic was sent off and the same de Andrade sealed the victory with his shot from the spot kick. 

 Referee: Andre’ Arciola

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