MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

WORTHY PERFORMANCE LIFTS SANNAT TO SAFER WATERS

  Sannat Lions recovered from a series of disappointing performances and obtained a convincing win, worthy of champions, over Xewkija Tigers.  This was also Sannat’s second win over Xewkija in the championship.  This was an important match from the relegation zone where the two sides needed a victory to avoid the bottom place on the table.  The two teams produced a good challenge where Sannat prevailed over their opponents mainly through their experience.  The Lions had a better start and took a deserved lead.  However, they suffered Xewkija’s reaction midway through the first half and their rearguard went through some serious danger.  However, Sannat’s second goal that arrived seconds from half time put them in the driving seat and in a position to control a comfortable lead after the break.  Sannat practically made sure of the three points with a third goal that arrived early in the second period.  With this result Sannat move away from the bottom place by three places to leave the same Xewkija, SK Victoria Wanderers and Kercem Ajax behind them.  In this match Xewkija seemed weak in attack and it seemed that they were conditioned by the absence of Chris Camilleri, who has now joined Premiere League heavy-weights Hibernians.

  In the third minute of play Sannat’s Fernando de Andrade lost a good scoring opportunity when he conclude badly from a good position.  The Tigers replied on 9 minutes through a header by Christian Bugeja from a corner kick by Joseph Cefai that ended high.  Sannat opened the score on 16 minutes through an excellent direct free kick by Fernando de Andrade that surprised goalie Joseph Grima.  Two minutes later Sannat were again dangerous through a cross-shot by Mark Formosa that ended just wide and the Tigers replied on 22 minutes through a low shot from outside the area by Joseph Cefai that missed the target.  Two minutes later a close ranged effort by Sabri Rais following an inviting pass by Fernando de Andrade.  Xewkija recovered from the difficult moment and produce a good reaction which kept Sannat under pressure for around ten minutes.

  On 25 minutes Basil Chibueze incredibly concluded over the crossbar from close distance following a free kick by Joseph Cefai.  Two minutes later Rodney Buttigieg headed badly from close distance following a cross by Basil Chibueze and one minute from the half hour an attempt by Joseph Cefai was blocked in corner by central defender Benneth Njoku.  On 31 minutes a low shot by Rodeny Buttigieg from a pass by Joseph Azzopardi was well saved by goalie Paul Galea.  Sannat replied two minutes later through a counter break by Nikolai Filipov but John Camilleri failed to connect.  On 34 minutes a low shot by Sabri Rais was saved in two attempts by Xewkija’s goalie Joseph Grima and in the 38th minute the same goalkeeper kept his side in contention with a fine save to turn in corner a header by Fernando de Andrade from a cross by John Camilleri.  Five minutes from the break Fernando de Andrade could have concluded better a low cross by Paul Spiteri.  However, the Brazilian striker made up for the mistake in the second minute of stoppage time before half time when he surprised goalie Grima for the second time from a long ranged free kick.

  After the restart Xewkija tried to be more aggressive in an attempt to re-open the issue but Sannat maintained composure and kept danger away from their area.  The Lions practically put their minds at rest after six minutes of play into the second period when John Camilleri entered Xewkija’s territory in a fast break, dribbled the goalkeeper and deposited the ball into an open goal.  Sannat now reduced pressure as Xewkija seemed demoralized and never managed to create danger to Paul Galea’s goal.  Sannat could have increased the lead on 81 minutes but a strike form an angled position by John Camilleri was well saved in corner by goalie Joseph Grima.  Xewkija had their best scoring opportunity five minutes from time through a shot from outside the area by Christian Buega that was neutralized by goalie Paul Galea.  Sannat went again close to seal the issue on the 90th minute when John Camilleri came face to face with the goalkeeper following a counter break but his lob ended over the crossbar.

Referee: Paul Apap

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