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ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE |
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XAGHRA UNITED RELEGATED |
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V Agius, FL Galea, M Cremona, B Meilak, D Dabattista (C Grech), S Azzopardi, V Tavares (C Tabone 66), Jh Camilleri (F Apap), Jr Camilleri, D Okanu, J Buttigieg. |
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 XAGHRA
UNITED FC
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D Gauci, P Attard, A Tramboo, L Blanco de Castro, L Buttigieg, VJ Saliba (M Tabone), J Mercieca (S Sultana), SF Bajada, S Galea, M Buhagiar, P Ohaka (M Xerri). |
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Xaghra United suffered a heavy defeat in their match from the last day of the championship against Ghasielem and therefore failed to obtain the necessary points to maintain their hopes of avoiding relegation. It was a disappointing match for the Blues. Although they were coming from a positive performance in their previous match, they were surprised by Ghajnsielem’s deployment.
The Blacks played this match without any pressure and the players seemed more confident on the pitch so that they were solid at their defence and very dangerous in their attacks towards Xaghra’s goal. On the whole Xaghra had a very difficult season and although they were in the third place from the bottom at the end of the second round, they compromised their season with a disastrous third round and therefore the relegation was inevitable.
Xaghra came out more aggressive than their opponents and in the 5th minute a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro was saved with difficulty by goalie Victor Agius. The Blacksd replied with an effort by John Camilleri that was neutralised by Xaghra’s keeper Donald Gauci and in the 11th minute the same Camilleri had a shot from a free kick by Brian Meilak that ended on the side of the net. Xaghra continued to be adverterous in the early stages and minutes later an attempt by Silvan Galea was saved by goalie Agius. In the 21st minute the same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save following a free kick by Blanco de Castro.
The Blacks produced a good scoring opportunity from the resultant counter break but Dominic Okanu was blocked at the edge of the area by goalie Donald Gauci. On the half hourt a long ranged strike by Larry Buttigieg just missed the target and later Xaghra had another attempt by Silvan Galea that ended wide. In the 34th minute Ghajnsielem were unlucky when a shot by dominic Okanu was deflected on the post by the defence. In the 41st minute the B;acks were awarded a penalty for hands by Sam Frank Bajada and Dominic Okanu opened the score with his shot from the spot kick.
After the break Xaghra were demoralised. Ghajsnielem were now in the driving seat and dictated matters. The Blacks practically made sure of the victory in the 50th minute. Jeremy Camilleri took the rebound from the goalkeeper, who saved partially a header by John Camilleri, and guided the ball into an open goal. Minutes later Ghajnsielem could have increased the score and goalie Gauci was called to make difficult saves following attempts by Okanu and Brian Meilak. In the 63rd minute Xaghra’s Larry Buttigieg cleared off the line a header by John Camilleri.
However, John Camilleri managed to score in the 70th minute when he placed out of Gauci’s reach with a low angled shot to make the score 3-0. In the 78th minute Ghajnsielem could have registered a poker but Okanu’s shot from an idel position ended over the crossbar. Xaghra ended with ten players in the 85th minute when Sam Frank Bajada was sent off for a second caution.
Referee: Joe Agius |
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MATCH PHOTO GALLERY
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GHAJNSIELEM
FC ...... 
