MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

GHAJNSIELEM CRUSH THE WANDERERS

(M. Cordina 34’, 37’)

A. Parnis, S. Gatt, D. Muscat, M. Buttigieg (L. Mizzi), D.U. Monday (J. Attard), J. Refalo, J. Vella (S. Scicluna), L. Dimech, I. Adesina, A. Desina, M. Cordina.

(K. Mercieca 16’, 30’, 71’; T. Dos Santos 53’, 64’; R. Cariaga 87’ pen.)

J. Grech, F. Apap, R. Grima, D. Debattista, R. Cariaga, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, K. Mercieca, S. Azzopardi (L. Debono), T. Dos Santos, F.L. Galea (C. Tabone).

  Ghanjneielem had an excellent start to the second round of the championship registered an important win over SK Victoria Wanderers.  The two teams needed the three points from this match to maintain their chances to challenge for the honours. Ghajnsielem needed the points to reach the same Victoria on the table while the Wanderers needed the win to put pressure on other contenders Victoria Hotspurs and Nadur Youngsters.  The citizens had Akande Williams and Chirs Sciortino missing for this match due to an injury and suspension respectively.  Ghajnsielem had Glenn Cefai missing due to an injury while Joseph Attard and Errol Grima were not included in the starting line up.

  The victory for the Blacks was well deserved.  They had a good start and managed to recover a difficult moment in the final stages of the first period when Victoria recovered from a two-goal deficit.  However, Ghajnsielem took full command of play as they regained the lead after the break and administered play for the rest of the remaining minutes.

  The Blacks came out more aggressive.  In the 9^th minute Victoria’s goalie Adrian Parnis was called to make a difficult save following a strike by Kenneth Mercieca following a solo action.  The Wanderers replied one minute later through a shot by Ajibade Adesina that ended just wide.  On 13 minute Victoria’s central defender David Udo Monday, who was making a return after a one match suspension, block a good effort by Thiago Dos Santos in corner.  Ghajnsielem opened the score three minutes later through an excellent volley by Kenneth Mercieca following a cross from the right by Stefan Azzopardi.  On 18 minutes Ghajsnielem were again dangerous through a shot from outside the area by Frank Lee Galea that just missed the target.  One minute later Victoria could have levelled the score but Manuel Cordina’s close ranged shot from a pass by Ige Adesina was blocked in the goalmouth by Ferdinando Apap.  In the 24th minute Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech saved well an attempt by Manuel Cordina following a pass by Ajibade Adesina. 

  Ghajnsielem, however, increased the score in the 30^th minute.  It was once again Kenneth Merceica who netted from close distance an inviting low cross from the right by Thiago Dos Santos. Victoria re-opened the issue four minutes later through an overhead kick by Manuel Cordina following a cross by Ajibade Adesina.  Victoria gained some confidence and in the 37th minute they levelled the score.  Joseph Vella released Manuel Cordina in Ghajnsielem’s area and the latter placed in goal with a low shot as the goalkeeper went out of his position.

  The Wanderers tried to maintain some pressure after the resumption and went close to take the lead in the first m inute of the second period, but Mark Buttigieg’s header from a free kick by Simon Gatt hit the side of the net.  The Blacks replied in the 52nd minute through an attempt by Thiago Dos Santos following some hesitation at Victoria’s rearguard that ended just high.  Victoria’s rearguard once again had some hesitation one minute later but on this occasion Thiago Dos Santos took full advantage and netted with a strike from the edge of the area to put his side in the lead.  The citizens were shocked and Ghajnsielem started to put pressure on their opponents in an attempt to put their mind at rest with another goal.  Ghajnsielem’s efforts were rewarded in the 64th minute as Thiago Dos Santos made it 4-2 with another strike from the edge of the area following a through pass from the midfield.  Victoria were nowhere to be seen and they suffered another setback minutes later when central defender David Udo Monday had to be hospitalised following a injury resulting from a tackle on Thiago Dos Santos.  Ghajnsielem increased their lead on 71 minute when Dos Santos unmarked Kenneth Mercieca following a fast break and the latter placed easily in goal with a low shot.  In the 80^th minute the two teams ended with a player less on the field when the referee showed the red card to Victoria’s Simon Gatt and Ghajnsielem’s Kenneth Mercieca for dissent.  Victoria tried to make the score more respectable in the final stages but the closest they went to scoring was in the 83^rd minute through an effort by Lauran Dimech that ended high.  Ghajsielem sealed the issue with another goal scored in the 87th minute, from a penalty, awarded for a foul by goalie Parnis on Dos Santos, which was converted by Rodrigo Cariaga.

Referee: Paul Caruana

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