ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

XAGHRA RE-OPEN RELEGATION TUSSLE WITH A CLOSE WIN IN DIRECT CLASH

D Gauci, P Attard, A Tramboo, L Blanco de Castro, J Sultana, L Buttigieg, SF Bajada, S Galea, M Buhagiar, P Ohaka (M Xerri), J Mercieca (S Sultana, VJ Saliba).

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

     Xaghra United recovered from a series of disappointing performance and obtained three precious points from their direct clash against Qala St Joseph to re-open the tussle against relegation.  The Blues were determined for this match.  They managed to produce a good defensive match and obtained the decisive goal from an excellent set-piece by Brazilian defender Leandro Blanco de Castro. 

        The Maroons disappointed in this match.  They were in the best position of the three teams in the red zone.  They were also coming from a series of good performances and they could have been overconfident as they were facing the team at the bottom of the table.  This was the penultimate match of the campaign for the two sides and therefore the destiny of Xaghra and Qala has to be decided in the last day of the championship.

Xaghra saw more of the ball in the early stages and created some danger through set-pieces by Leandro Blanco de Castro.  However, Qala went closest to scoring in the 11^th minute when a low shot by Manwel Cordina following a pass by Peter Said was partially saved by goalie Donald Gauci and from the resultant clearance; Denis Abela’s cross was headed wide by the same Cordina.  Xaghra replied with a fast break that was concluded badly by Silvan Galea and in the 16^th minute Qala’s goalie Aktpan saved in two attempts a shot from outside the area by Joseph Sultana.

  Four minutes later a strike by Dione Lautier from an angled position ended just over Xaghra’s goal.  The Blues were denied from opening the score in the 23^rd minute when a fine shot from outside the area by Silvan Galea was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Inim Aktpan. 

Qala passed from a good moment around the half hour and were dangerous with an effort by Manuel Cordina that ended wide and an attempt by Mario Mifsud that was saved by goalie Donald Gauci.  Xaghra replied with another effort by Silvan Galea that was saved by goalie Aktpan.  In the 35^th minute a long ranged shot by Denis Abela just missed the target. 

 Xaghra opened the score in the 37^th minute with a spectacular direct free kick by Leandro Blanco de Castro that ended at the upper corner of goal.  The Saints had an immediate reaction and one minute later a header by Dione Lautier following a cross by Mario Mifsud ended inches wide.

The Blues could have doubled the score after two minutes of play of the second period but a shot by Joseph Sultana following a corner action ended just over the crossbar.  Qala were still confused and their efforts to recover the score were sterile. 

 Xaghra settled better and operated with counter attacks going close to scoring in the 53^rd minute through a shot from outside the area by Joseph Mercieca. 

 Qala increased some pressure as time passed by but Xaghra’s rearguard managed to resist and dangerous attempts by Denis Abela, Dione Lautier and substitute Andreas Fotso were neutralised either by the defence or the goalkeeper.  Xaghra’s goalie Gauci was called to make a difficult save in the 76^th minute to block in two attempts a long ranged shot by Andreas Fotso. 

 In the 89^th minute Xaghra defender Sammy Frank Bajada almost risked an own goal to block a shot by Denis Abela and from the resultant corner goalie Donald Gauci saved with difficulty the corner kick by Mario Mifsud. 

During stoppage time Silvan Galea could have doubled the score as he had two long ranged attempts in separate occasions, with the goalkeeper out of his position, but his first lob ended just wide and in the second occasion the goalkeeper managed to recover his position and cleared the danger off the fatal line.

Referee:         Anton Zammit

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY