MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

GHAJNSIELEM HELD TO A DRAW

  Contenders for the title Ghajnsielem earned only one point from the match against relegation strugglers Xewkija Tigers.  The point obtained was also the best result that the Blacks could have achieved as they had to come from behind to recover a two-goal deficit.  Xewkija had another positive performance.  They produced the better play during the first period and defended well Ghajnsielm’s pressure after the break.  The turning point of the match was probably Ghajnsielm’s goal that was scored seconds from the break which denied Xewkija from entering the dressing room with a comfortable lead.

  Overall it was a disappointing performance for the Blacks.  They had a quiet start and only managed to put pressure over their opponents when they were made to recover a compromising result.  With the point obtained Ghajnsielem may end up with a five-point gap from the leaders at the end of the second round.

  Play was quite balanced during the first stages of the match but Xewkija produced the better scoring opportunities.  In the 2nd minute of play through a shot from outside the area by Andreas Fotso that missed the target.  On the quarter of an hour Xewkija’s Basil Chibueze entered Ghajnsielem’s territory with a personal action but his attempt was neutralized by the goalkeeper.

 Minutes later an effort by Andreas Fotso did not create any particular danger to Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech.  The Tigers gained some confidence and as time passed by they started to increase pressure over their opponents.  They also took a deserved lead on 22 minutes through a close ranged shot by Josmar Vella following a corner action.  Three minutes later Ghajnsielem replied through an attempt by Thiago Dos Santos that was well saved by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.

  On 34 minutes a header by Dos Santos from a cross by Kenneth Mercieca was blocked by the rearguard and one minute later an attempt by Rodrigo Cariaga ended wide.  Three minutes later the same Dos Santos incredibly concluded wide from close distance an inviting cross from the right by Cariaga.  Xewkija doubled the score on 43 minutes.  Paul Rapa won a tussle for the ball at the edge of the area, lobbed over the goalkeeper and guided the ball into an open net from close distance.  However, the Blacks managed to reduce the deficit just before the break through a header by Rodrigo Cariaga following a corner kick by Alex Simoncic.

  Ghajnsielem maintained their momentum after the break and went very close to level the score after just seventeen seconds of play.  Brian Meilak entered the area from the right flank but his inviting low cross was incredibly lifted over the crossbar from close distance by Alex Simoncic.  Ghajnsielem kept insisting but the Tigers defended well and also operated some good counter attacks.  On 63 minutes Xewkija could have increased their lead when Christian Bugeja entered the area with a personal action but his shot hit the side of the net. 

 Four minutes later Ghajnsielem also had a goal scored by Thiago Dos Santos that was disallowed for an offside position of Kenneth Mercieca.  Eleven minutes from time Xewkija went again close to scoring through a shot from outside the area by Basil Chibueze that ended just wide.

  Xewkija were punished for the missed chances as Ghajnsielem clinched the equalizer on 82 minutes through an own goal by Basil Chibueze who hit badly in an attempt to clear a corner kick by Alex Simoncic.  Three minutes later Ghajnsielem had their last opportunity to obtain the victory but a direct free kick by Simoncic was partially defelcted by goalie Jonathan Xuereb before hitting the post.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi

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