ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

THE HOTSPURS DEFEAT KERCEM AND CONSOLIDATE SECOND PLACE ON THE TABLE

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

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, M Tabone, E Hussain, M Stojanovic, D Fowler, M Azzopardi, JP Mizzi (L Camilleri), G Conti (D Mercieca), J Grech (M Vella).

    Victoria Hotspurs maintained their slender chances to challenge for the title with a convincing victory over Kercem Ajax. The Hotspurs dominated over their opponents especially during the first period. They opened a comfortable two-goal lead in the first quarter of an hour and continued to administer the match for the remaining part of the match. Victoria’s Ricardo Saverino regained the leadership of the top-scorer table with a hat-trick to reach 19 goals in the championship, two more than Sannat’s Fernando de Andrade. This was a disappointing performance for Kercem. They were coming from a positive performance and a victory in their match against Sannat Lions. However, the Ajax were shocked by Victoria’s aggressive start and never managed to recover.

   The Hotspurs took command of play from the very beginning and opened the score in the 8^th minute through a long ranged free kick by Jason Portelli that surprised goalie Courtney Mercieca. Victoria doubled the score in the 14^th minute. Kercem’s goalie Mercieca floored Ricardo Saverino in the area. The referee awarded a penalty and the same Ricardo Saverino converted from the spot kick. The Ajax replied in the 21^st minute through a shot by Dan Fowler from outside the area that ended just over the crossbar. One minute later Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima saved in corner a strike by Jean Paul Mizzi.  In the 26^th minute Kercem’s Fowler entered the area with a solo action but his low shot was well saved by goalie Grima.

    Kercem could have re-opened the issue five minutes later through a cross-shot by Frankie Camilleri that ended just wide. The hotspurs regained command of play and increased their lead in the 34^th minute. Noel Borg unmarked Fabiano Bassi at the edge of the area, the latter passed to Ricardo Saverino who guided the ball into an empty goal from close distance. Victoria went close to score more goals before half time. In the 37^th minute a low shot by Marvin Buttigieg following a fine move by Bassi ended just wide and one minute later Kercem’s goalie turned in corner with difficulty a free kick by Jason Portelli.

    Kercem came out more aggressive after the break. In the 46^th minute a shot by substitute Malcolm Vella was blocked by the defence and from the rebound Milos Stojanovic’s attempt was saved by goalie Mark Grima. Victoria replied in the 51^st minute with an angled shot by Ricardo Saverino that was saved in corner by goalie Mercieca and four minutes later Fabiano Bassi incredibly concluded wide following a cross from the right by Saverino. Kercem were again dangerous in the 61^st minute through an effort by Jean Paul Mizzi that was saved in orner by Grima and from the same corner action Milos Stojanovic’s header ended just wide. Kercem’s efforts were rewarded in the 65^th minute when Gothard Conti reduced the deficit by placing the ball in goal from close distance following a cross by Frankie Camilleri. Victoria did not produce a reaction and continued to defend their two-goal lead. As time passed by Kercem gained some confidence and insisted to score a second goal which could re-open their chances to save the result. However, Victoria sealed the issue in the 86^th minute. Ricardo Saverino entered the area with a fast break, but was floored in the area by Eman Hussain. The referee awarded a penalty and the goalkeeper was sent off for a second caution following dissent and Saverino made it 4-1 with his shot from the spot kick. Kercem scored their second goal in the second minute of stoppage time through Jonathan Mercieca who concluded in goal an inviting pass by Malcolm Vella.

Referee:  Glenn Tonna

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY