ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

MAROONS CLOSER TO RETAIN DIVISION I STATUS

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

I Aktpan, A Fotso, G Cefai, B Portelli, P Camilleri, D Abela, P Said (C Portelli), M Mifsud, J Xerri, D Lautier, M Cordina.

Qala St Joseph obtained a precious victory in their match against Sannat Lions and consolidated their safe place on the table although they are still in the red zone.  The Saints took revenge for the two defeats conceded in the previous two rounds of the campaign.  They were undoubtedly more motivated than their opponents and took advantage of Sannat’s relaxation especially after the break.

The maroons had a better start and in the first minutes Manuel Cordina concluded wide form an ideal position following a cross by Denis Abela.  In another occasion Paul Camilleri’s shot missed the target.  The Lions opened the score in their first action at Qala’s goal.  In the 9^th minute Fernando de Andrade unmarked Mark Muscat and the latter placed in goal from an angled position.  One minute later an attempt by Errol Grima was well saved by goalie Inim Aktpan. Qala produced a reaction and in the 11^th minute a shot by Denis Abela that ended just high.

  Three minutes later Dione Lautier’s shot from a pass by Mario Mifsud ended inches wide and in another occasion a header by Glenn Cefai ended high.  Lautier was again dangerous in the 35^th minute when his lob ended over the crossbar.  Sannat replied with a dangerous free kick by Errol Grima.  Qala kept insisting and in the 42^nd minute they managed to level the score.  Dione Lautier blocked a clearance by Cristiano de Oliveira, passed to Manuel Cordina who placed easily in goal from close distance.

After the resumption the Lions were unlucky when goalie Demis Bajada had to be substituted due to an injury.  The Saints started to put some pressure on Sannat’s defence and in the 52^nd minute they turned the result in the favour through Dione Lautier following a solo action.  Sannat had an immediate reaction and three minutes later Fernando de Andrade scored the equaliser from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Andreas Fotso on the same de Andrade. 

In the 60^th minute the Lions could have gained the lead through Fernando de Andrade who had a shot blocked by the defence and from the rebound his header ended wide.  Five minutes later they were also unlucky when an attempt by de Andrade hit the post. 

Qala produced some pressure in the following minutes and in the 69^th minute and effort by Andreas Fotso hit the crossbar while substitute Chris Mercieca almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear danger but his header hit the crossbar.  Qala were rewarded for their efforts one minute when Manuel Cordina scored what had to be the decisive goal with a lob over the goalkeeper following a fast break.

  The Saints tried to control their lead, and Sannat took advantage so that they created good scoring opportunities to save the result. However, both Mark Muscat and Kenneth Mercieca concluded badly from a good position on separate occasions.

Referee: Mario Apap

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY