ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

THE HOTSPURS OBTAIN CLOSE VICTORY WITH TWO PENALTIES

M Grima, C Attard, M Vella, JP Grima, D Farrugia, M Buttigieg (A Zammit), J Portelli, A Briffa (J Mizzi), R Grech, F Bassi, R Saverino.

V Agius, M Cremona, J Buttigieg, FL Galea (J Grech), Jr Camilleri (F Apap), S Azzopardi, Jh Camilleri, V Tavares, D Okanu, B Meilak, C Tabone (K Grima).

Victoria Hotspurs obtained a close victory over Ghajnsielem so that they maintained their mathematical chance to challenge for the title.  The match was well contested as the two sides seemed playing without any particular pressure.  The match became more interesting after the break and Victoria managed to win the points at stake from two penalty kicks that turned a defeat into a victory.

The Hotspurs had a better start and in the first minutes of play Ricardo Saverino went close to scoring on two separate occasions. 

In the first opportunity the Brazilian striker had his shot blocked in corner by the defence and in the other occasion Ghajnsielem’s goalie Victor Agius went out of his position to clear the danger. 

The Blacks replied with a header by John Camilleri following a fine move by Dominic Okanu that was well saved by goalie Mark Grima.  Play became more balanced as time passed by. 

 In the 23^rd minute Victoria’s John Paul Grima had a shot from outside the area that ended just wide.  In the 35^th minute Victoria’s Daniel Farrugia had a free kick that hit the crossbar and from the rebound Marvin Buttigieg’s header ended wide. Ghajnsielem were as much unlucky in the 42^nd minute when an effort by Dominic Okanu hit the post.

          Play became more exciting after the break.  The Hotspurs were dangerous in the 48^th minute through a lob by Fabiano Bassi that just missed the target.  Ghajnsielem opened the score in the 51^st minute. 

      John Camilleri passed to Dominic Okanu following a fast break and the latter placed in goal with a low angled shot.  The Hotspurs had an immediate reaction and three later they levelled the score from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Joseph Buttigieg on Marvin Buttigieg, and converted by Ricardo Saverino.

     Two minutes later Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima was well placed to block a free kick by Brian Meilak and save a close ranged shot by John Camilleri from the rebound.  Victoria turned the result in their favour on the hour of play from another penalty kick. 

      In this occasion the referee awarded the penalty for a foul by Martin Cremona on Fabiano Bassi and Ricardo Saverino placed the ball in the same corner of the net as in his first penalty shot. 

    Ghajnsielem tried to produce a reaction but Victoria were well placed at the defence and their best scoring opportunities arrived from long ranged shots by Brian Meilak that were both saved with difficulty by Mark Grima.  In the first minute of stoppage time the Blacks were unlucky when a strike by John Camilleri hit the crossbar.

Referee: Anton Zammit

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY