ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

GHAJNSIELEM SECURE THEIR DIVISION I STATUS WITH A CLOSE VICTORY

V Agius, B Meilak (C Tabone), S Azzopardi, M Cremona, J Buttigieg, FL Galea, D Debattista (D Agius), Jr Camilleri, Jh Camilleri, D Okanu, V Tovares.

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, G Conti (J Debrincat), M Vella, E Hussain (J Grech), M Tabone, FL Adilson, M Azzopardi, JP Mizzi, M Stojanovic.

Ghajnsielem obtained a close victory over Kercem Ajax and therefore obtained more than the one point that they needed to make sure of retaining their first division status.  This was a difficult match for the Blacks as Kercem are currently going through a good form in their efforts to avoid relegation.  The Blacks were well organised at the defence and operated mainly with fast breaks.  They were generally more dangerous than their opponents especially in the second period so that the victory could have been with a larger margin.

          Kercem came out more aggressive than their opponents and in the 6^th minute Franklin Adilson had two consecutive attempts blocked by the defence.  However, as time passed by the play took place mainly in the midfield with very few actions at the two goals.  In the 31^st minute Kercem were again dangerous following a good move by Frankie Camilleri but Adilson concluded over the crossbar from close distance.  Ghajnsielem opened the score in the 36^th minute.  It was John Camilleri who placed out of Courtney Mercieca’s reach with a fine volley.  The Ajax had an immediate reaction and two minutes later Ghajnsielem’s goalie Victor Agius saved with difficulty an attempt by Milos Stojanovic and from the rebound Malcolm Vella crossed from the left but Adilson headed incredibly high with an open goal at his mercy.  However, Kercem scored the equaliser in the 40^th minute with a first timer by Milos Stojanovic following a free kick by Mario Azzopardi.  Seconds from half time Kercem could have turned the result in their favour but a strike from outside the area by Malcolm Vella was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Victor Agius.

          The Ajax continued to insist after the break and in the 58^th minute Mario Azzopardi headed wide from close distance a corner kick by Frankie Camilleri.  Ghajnsielem operated with counter attacks and in the 62^nd minute they regained the lead through Dominic Okanu’s shot following a free kick by Brian Meilak.  Kercem were shocked and two minutes later the Blacks could have increased the lead.  John Camilleri released Jeremy Camilleri in the area but the latter incredibly concluded weak and goalie Courtney Merceica recovered his position and managed to save his goal.  Kercem’s reply arrived in the 68^th minute through a lob from an angled position by Gothard Conti that ended over the crossbar. 

Ghajnsielem started to find more space at Kercem’s rearguard and in the following minutes they lost some good opportunities to extend their lead.  In the 71^st minute Kercem’s goalkeeper deflected in corner an attempt by John Camilleri who entered the area with a solo effort and one minute later a shot from outside the area by Frank Lee Galea ended just high.  Kercem’s goalie Mercieca was again called to make a difficult save in the 73^rd minute following another attempt by John Camilleri.  The same Camilleri incredibly missed another chance in the 81^st minute when he concluded wide from a good position after receiving from Brian Meilak in a fast break.  In the 3^rd minute of stoppage time Kercem’s goalie Mercieca denied Ghajnsielem’s Victor Tovares from scoring the third goal with a fine intervention on the Portuguese midfielder who was released in the area by John Camilleri.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY