ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

KERCEM MOVE AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE

D Bajada, J Agius, P Spiteri, F Debono (S Rais, N Micallef), C de Oliveira, A Debono, M Muscat, M Cutajar, E Grima, F de Andrade, K Mercieca.

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, M Tabone, M Stojanovic, E Hussain, G Conti (M Vella), F Adelson (J Debrincat), M Azzopardi, H Grech (A Buttigieg), JP Mizzi.

      Kercem Ajax registered an important victory over Sannat Lions and obtained three precious points in the tussle against relegation. Kercem are now in a better position to face their direct clashes in the remaining matches until the end of the campaign. It was a deserved victory for the Ajax. They were more determined and punished their opponents in crucial moments of the match.

   Sannat were probably over-confident. They compromised the result with some poor finishing and also lack of attention at their defence. The Lions lost their second place on the table and practically all their hopes that they could challenge Nadur for the title.

     The Ajax came out more aggressive and created some pressure on Sannat’s rearguard. It was not surprising that Kercem open the score in the 9^th minute. Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada partially saved a shot by Milos Stojanovic and from the rebound Jean Paul Mizzi’s low shot was deflected past Bajada by defender Justin Agius.

    The Lions had an immediate reaction and in the following action Kenneth Mercieca incredibly concluded over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy. In the 14^th minute Kercem’s goalie made a good save following an effort by Mark Muscat. The same goalkeeper was called for another difficult intervention in the 21^st minute following a header by Kenneth Mercieca.

     Sannat were punished for the missed chances as Kercem doubled the score in the 25^th minute. Franklin Adelson entered the area from the left and from his cross Milos Stojanovic headed past goalie Bajada. Sannat were shocked and Kercem became more dangerous with fast breaks. In the 32^nd minute a long ranged shot by Gothard Conti ended just high and five minutes later it was Milos Stojanovic who concluded over the crossbar a good move by Adelson.

     Sannat replied in the 39^th minute with a free kick by Cristiano de Oliveira that missed the target and two minutes later they managed to re-open the issue. Errol Grima escaped from the right flank and from his cross Fernando de Andrade headed in goal from the second post.

     Kercem saw more of the ball after the break, while Sannat operated with fast breaks. The Lions were also dangerous in the 55^th minute with a corner kick by Frank Debono that ended just wide. In the 59^th minute Kercem’s Jonathan Mercieca headed over the crossbar a corner kick by Frankie Camilleri.

     One minute later Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada saved with difficulty in corner a strike from outside the area by Milos Stojanovic. Kercem increased their lead in the 76^th minute with a goal by Franklin Adelson who placed past goalie Bajada with a low shot after receiving from Milos Stojanovic.

    Two minutes later Kercem’s Manuel Tabone was unlucky when his header from a corner action hit the crossbar. The Lions regained composure in the final moments but only managed to pull one goal back in the 89^th minute through Fernando de Andrade who surprised goalie Courtney Mercieca after receiving from Mark Muscat. One minute later a direct free kick by the same de Andrade ended just wide.

Referee: Anton Zammit

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