ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

THE HOTSPURS MAKE SURE OF VICTORY WITH  FIRST HALF GOALS

VICTORIA HOTSPURS FC ...... 

(A Briffa 7’; N Borg 32’; F Bassi 40’; R Saverino 65’ pen., 81’)        

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

D Gauci, J Buhagiar (J Merceica), A Tramboo, L Blanco de Castro, J Attard, S Galea, L Buttigieg, SF Bajada (N Sultana), S Sultana (A Mutalib), M Buhagiar, P Ohaka. 

   Victoria Hotspurs regained their chances to keep the challenge on Nadur Youngsters for the title with three points obtained from a victory over Xaghra United. Victoria’s victory matured mainly with three goals scored during the first period. It was also Victoria’s third win over Xaghra in the championship.

    Xaghra were unlucky in the first action of play as Larry Buttigige’s strike in the 12^th second hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. The Hotspurs were not demoralised and they managed to open the score in their first action at Xaghra’s goal. A header by Noel Borg from a free kick by Jason Portelli was blocked on the fatal line by Xaghra’s defence and from the rebound Anthony Briffa placed in goal from close distance. Xaghra replied minutes later with a low shot by Shaun Sultana that was well saved by goalie Mark Grima. Victoria doubled the score in the 32^nd minute following an identical action of the first goal. Once again it was a free kick by Jason Portelli which arrived to an unmarked Noel Borg at the second post so that the latter headed in goal from close distance. The Hotspurs increased the lead in the 40^th minute from a fast break by Ricardo Saverino, who entered the area, dribbled the goalkeeper and released Fabiano Bassi who placed easily into an open goal.

   After the resumption Victoria controlled play and Xaghra tried to re-open the issue. In the 50^th minute Silvan Galea concluded wide when he came face to face with the goalkeeper. Victoria replied in the 58^th minute with an effort by Michael Vella following a free kick by Jason Portelli that hit the post and two minutes later Xaghra were as much unlucky when a header by Alex Tramboo hit the crossbar. Xaghra managed to reduce the arrears in the 62^nd minute with a goal by Alex Tramboo who had his shot following a solo effort deflected past Grima by the defence. However, the Hotspurs regained the three-goal lead three minutes later. The referee awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Donald Gauci on Ricardo Saverino, and the same Saverino converted from the spot kick. Minutes later Xaghra’s substitute Abdul Mutalib had an overhead kick that just missed the target. The Blues scored their second goal in the 76^th minute through a low shot from the edge of the area by Silvan Galea. The final score became 5-2 in the 81^st minute through Ricardo Saverino who placed easily in goal after receiving from Noel Borg in the area. In the dying seconds Xaghra’s Abdul Mutalib incredibly concluded wide when he was released in the area by Johann Attard.  Referee:     Paul Apap

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