ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

KERCEM AJAX WIN DIRECT CLASH AGAINST RELEGATION

         This was the main match from the tussle against relegation.  Both Xaghra United and Kercem Ajax were aiming to obtain the three points at stake and therefore the match produced some exciting moments.  However, Kercem deserved the victory.  They were more organized, defended well and overall they produced more scoring opportunities than their opponents.  With this victory the Ajax opened a four point lead over Xaghra who are occupying the bottom place and may also challenge Qala St Joseph to avoid the risk of playing the relegation play-off.  

          Xaghra seemed more adventurous at the beginning and produced the first serious scoring opportunities.  In the 12^th minute Kercem’s debutant goalkeeper Victor Galea saved with difficulty a long ranged strike by Joseph Mercieca.  In the 16^th minute Xaghra’s Silvan Galea had a shot from outside the area that missed the target.  Kercem opened the score one minute later.  It was Mario Azzopardi who headed in goal following a corner kick by Frankie Camilleri.  The Blues were shocked and the Ajax doubled the score one minute later through a low shot by Milos Stojanovic following a fine move on the left by Frankie Camilleri.  Kercem could have increased their lead in the 22^nd minute but Malcolm Vella concluded weak from an ideal position following a mishap at Xaghra’s defence.

          The Blues re-opened the issue in the 25^th minute. A free kick by Peter Ohaka hit the post and from the resultant action Mario Azzopardi floored Silvan Galea and the referee awarded a penalty which was converted by Leandro Blanco de Castro.  Play became more exciting at this stage.  Xaghra increased their pressure but they did not manage to create dangerous actions.  Kercem operated with fast breaks and in the 37^th minute they regained the two-goal lead with a close ranged header by Malcolm Vella following a cross from the right by Franklin Adilson.  Three minutes later Kercem’s goalie Victor Galea blocked on Shaun Sultana following a pass by Silvan Galea.  Kercem could have increased the score one minute from the break when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by the goalkeeper on Gothard Conti.  However, goalie Donald Gauci made up for the mistake and kept his side in contention with a save following Milos Stojanovic’s shot from the spot kick.

          On the resumption Xaghra seemed demoralized and failed to produce a reaction.  Kercem were in the driving seat and had territorial command.  In the 49^th minute an effort by Gothard Conti from outside the area just missed the target and four minutes later goalie Donald Gauci partially saved another attempt by Conti.  From the rebound the same Conti concluded wide.  On the hour Xaghra’s goalie was again called to block a close ranged attempt by the same Conti who was released in the area by Adilson.  Xaghra replied minutes later with a free kick by Peter Ohaka that was well saved by goalie Victor Galea.  Minutes later the same goalkeeper cleared badly a cross by Philip Attard but Silvan Galea incredibly concluded wide with an open goal at his mercy.  Xaghra grew in confidence and in the 66^th minute they reduced the deficit through a fine header by Shaun Sultana following a free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro.  Minutes later an effort by Xaghra’s Alex Tramboo following a solo effort ended high.

          Kercem recovered from the shock and produced some fast breaks.  In the 71^st minute Xaghra failed to clear danger.  Milos Stojanovic took the lose ball but from his cross Conti’s header hit the post and from the rebound Adilsons’s attempt was well blocked by goalie Gauci.  Two minutes later Xaghra’s goalkeeper saved with difficulty a good shot by Milos Stojanovic following a fine move by Conti.  However, the same Gothard Conti increased the lead for Kercem in the 74^th minute when he placed in goal with a low shot from an angled position after receiving from Adilson.  Xaghra replied with a strike by Alex Tramboo that was well saved by goalie Victor Galea.

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY