ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

THE LIONS TURN A DEFEAT INTO A VICTORY

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

    Sannat Lions turned a defeat into a victory in their match against Qala St Joseph and re-opened the chances to join the race for the title. It was a deserved victory for the Lions. They created more scoring opportunities than their opponents and also managed to produce a determined reaction in the final stages to recover the result. Qala needed points to get away from the lower positions on the table, but were too weak in attack. Although they managed to open the score, they failed to control their lead so that they also lost the possibility to earn a point from this difficult match.

     The Saints saw more of the ball during the first part of the match. They were more aggressive and tried to put pressure on their opponents. However, Sannat were well deployed at their defence and operated some dangerous fast breaks. In the 13^th minute Qala’s goalie Inim Aktpan cleared at the edge of the area on Kenneth Mercieca who was released by Mark Muscat. The Saints replied with a shot from outside the area by Mario Mifsud in the 22^nd minute that ended over the crossbar following a corner action. In The 35^th minute Manwel Cordina’s effort following a short clearance by Sannat’s rearguard missed the target. One minute later Sannat’s Fernando de Andrade was released in the area by Mario Cutajar, but the Brazilian’s lob was deflected in corner by goalie Aktpan. The Lions continued to create the best scoring opportunities and in the 43^rd minute goalie Aktpan turned with difficulty in corner another close ranged attempt by Fernando de Andrade. Seconds from the end of the first half the same goalkeeper neutralised a free kick by Paul Spiteri.

    After the break Sannat produced some pressure over their opponents. In the 50^th minute Aktpan blocked in time an effort by Fernando de Andrade. The Saints replied with a free kick by Joe Xerri in the 59^th minute that was well saved by goalie Demis Bajada. Three minutes later Sannat’s Fernando de Andrade had a header from a free kick by Errol Grima that was deflected on the crossbar by goalie Aktpan. Qala opened the score in the 70^th minute. Manwel Cordina entered the area from the right and from his cross Dione Lautier headed in goal from close distance. The Lions lost composure and one minute later the same Lautier had a low shot from a through pass by substitute Charlie Attard that ended just wide. In the 73^rd minute Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada was well placed to block a fine move by Andreas Fotso.

    In the 80^th minute the Lions went close to level the score. Substitute Sabri Rais deflected a free kick by Mario Cutajar, but goalie Aktpan saved a header by Fernando de Andrade and from the rebound Kenneth Mercieca’s attempt was blocked in corner. Qala lost a good opportunity to increase their lead in the 85^th minute when substitute Charlie Attard entered the area but concluded badly from a good position. The Lions saved the result in the 88^th minute. Mark Muscat entered the area from the right and from his low cross Fernando de Andrade placed into an empty goal from close distance. Sannat kept insisting and in the third minute of stoppage time Kenneth Mercieca was unlucky when his close ranged shot from a cross by Fernando de Andrade hit the post. However, Sannat turned the final result in their favour with a goal that arrived one minute later. Errol Grima’s cross from the left found substitute Sabri Rais at the right place and the latter concluded out of Aktpan’s reach with a spectacular header.

Referee:   Esther Farrugia

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY