MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

HOTSPURS CONSOLIDATE LEADERSHIP WITH A HANDSOME WIN

Victoria Hotspurs made up for the defeat conceded in the first round against Xewkija Tigers and inflicted a heavy defeat to the relegation strugglers to open a three point lead over the second placed at the end of the 10th day of the championship.  Although the destination of the three points might have been predictable seen the position of the two sides on the table, the match for the first hour was hard fought as Xewkija produced enough scoring opportunities that could have kept them in contention.  However, the margin between the two sides was the deadliness of the respective attacking departments.  The Hotspurs were cynical, took a two-goal lead by the end of the first half and secured the victory with three goals in the space of five minutes midway through the second period.

This match was in fact characterised by the glorious return of the Czech striker Martin Hanus who had taken Gozitan football by storm in the final part of last season.  For this match the Hotspurs still had some problems to field their best eleven on the field.  They had central defender Alex Tramboo missing due to an injury, while Oliver Farrugia and Ryan Grech started from the reserves bench.The opening minutes were intensely eventful.  Xewkija were awarded a penalty when John Paul Grima handled the ball following a cross from the left flank but Victoria’s goalkeeper Mark Grima saved Christian Bugeja’s shot from the spot kick.  The Hotspurs were also awarded a penalty two minutes later as Josmar Vella was floored Martin Hanus in the area and the Czech striker marked his comeback by netting the ball from the penalty kick.  Victoria kept insisting and on 8 minutes Xewkija’s goalie Jonathan Xuereb saved with difficulty an attempt by Ruben Mercieca following a pass by Hanus.  The same goalkeeper was called to make another difficult intervention one minute later when he deflected on the post a strike from outside the area by Daniel Farrugia.The Tigers could have levelled the score in the 12th minute.  A header by Chibueze from a free kick by Joseph Cefai arrived to an unmarked Christian Bugeja, but the latter headed badly and goalie Grima saved without difficulty.  On 19 minutes an attempt by Victoria’s Eric Nkwankwo from a good position was weak and therefore neutralised by goalie Xuereb.  One minute later it was Xewkija’s Fotso who had a direct free kick that was easily saved by goalie Grima.  Xewkija increased their efforts as time passed by and on 37 minutes a long ranged attempt by Christian Bugeja that ended just wide.  Two minutes later the Tigers were also unlucky when a header by Rodney Buttigieg from a free kick by Joseph Cefai hit the crossbar.  Xewkija were punished for the missed chances and ended up conceding a second goal five minutes form the break.  It was a typical poacher’s goal when he surprised a defender dribbled the goalkeeper and deposited into an empty goal.After the restart the Hotspurs came out to administer the comfortable lead, while Xewkija continued to find it extremely difficult to produce danger towards Victoria’s goalkeeper.  In the 50th minute Xewkija had a header by Andreas Fotso from a free kick by Joseph Cefai that missed the target.  Just after the hour of play Xewkija practically lost their last opportunity to re-open the issue when Manuel Xerri headed wide from a good position following a cross by Joseph Cefai.  On 62 minutes the Hotspurs made sure of the three points.  Martin Hanus released Eric Nkwankwo near the edge of the area, the latter had his angled attempt blocked by the defence and Ruben Mercieca was well place to take the rebound and to place easily into an open goal.  The Hotspurs were now in the driving seat and scored two more goals in the space of two minutes.  On 65 minutes Eric Nkwankwo made it 4-0 after receiving a through pass by substitute Oliver Farrugia and two minutes later the same Nkwankwo had a close ranged attempt following a solo action that was blocked by the rearguard and from the rebound it was John Paul Grima who increased the score.  Xewkija went close to score a consolation goal on 74 minutes through a shot by Basil Chibueze that was saved in two attempts by goalie Mark Grima.  The final stages were just a formality although Victoria’s Martin Hanus could have registered a personal hat-trick one minute from time but his first timer from the edge of the area hit the crossbar and was cleared by the defence.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

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