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MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE |
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XAGHRA CONSOLIDATE LEADERSHIP |
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 XAGHRA
UNITED FC ...
 (E.
Bugeja 31’ pen., M. Bezzina 42’, D. Bartolo 45’)M. Vella, M. Scerri, J. Attard, E. Bugeja, M. Buhagiar, D. Bartolo (J. Agius), S. Sultana, J. Galea, P. Attard, S. Sultana (A. Farrugia), M. Bezzina. |
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 ORATORY
YOUTHS FC ...
 (J.
Grech 18’, G. Caruana 89’)F. Vella, K. Grech, A. Zammit (A. Sacco), G. Grech, C. Attard, J. Cassar, M. Grech, G.L. Zammit, F. Cini, J. Grech (G. Caruana), D. Lautier. |
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Xaghra United came from behind to obtain three points from their match against Oratory Youths. Xaghra’s victory matured with a determined performance in the last part of the first period. They were surprised by Oratory’s goal but managed to recover, turned the result in their favour and administered play during the second period. Oratory practically compromised their chances to win something from this match during the last quarter of an hour of the first period. They tried to re-open the issue after the break but they found it difficult to penetrate Xaghra’s rearguard and only managed to score the second goal when it was too late to complete a comeback. Xaghra came out very aggressive and Oratory’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella was called to make a difficult save after two minutes of play following an angled shot by Philip Attard. Oratory continued to suffer pressure but as time passed by they settled better and kept their opponents away from the danger area. The Youths also managed to open the score on 18 minutes through a low shot by Joseph Grech following an inviting low cross from the right by Joshua Cassar. Xaghra were confused and took some time to recover. Xaghra’s first approach at their opponent’s goal arrived on 29 minutes through a shot from outside the area by Eman Bugeja that was saved in two attempts by goalie Franklin Vella. The Blues leveled the score in the 31st minute, from a penalty awarded for a foul by Andrew Zammit on Shaun Sultana and converted by Eman Bugeja. Xaghra kept insisting and minutes later a free kick by the same Bugeja ended just high. And in the 41st minute goalie Franklin Vella made a difficult save following a low shot by Philip Attard. Xaghra turned the result in their favour one minute later through an angled strike by Michael Bezzina that surprised goalie Vella. Seconds from half time Xaghra increased their lead with a header by Daniel Bartolo following a corner kick by Eman Bugeja. |
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Oratory had a good reaction after the resumption and in the 49th minute an angled shot by Dione Lautier ended just high. Two minutes later Xaghra’s goalie Matthew Vella denied George Louis Zammit from reducing the deficit when he turned in corner with difficulty the long ranged strike addressed to the upper corner of goal. Xaghra were cautious and protected their territory to defend their two goal lead and operated with counter breaks. As a result play took place mainly in the midfield with few actions at the respective goals. Oratory could have reduced the deficit to just one goal on 77 minutes but a header by George Louis Zammit from a free kick by Francesco Cini ended just wide. Five minutes from time Oratory’s goalie Vella blocked in corner a low shot by Michael Bezzina following a personal action. Oratory regained their chances to save the result in the 89th minute when Xaghra’s defense failed to clear a low cross by Francesco Cini and substitute George Caruana took advantaged and netted with a low shot. However, there was not much time left to complete the recovery and the Blues managed to defend the one goal lead until the final whistle. Referee: George Portelli |
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