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MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE |
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HARD-EARNED WIN FOR XAGHRA |
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 QALA
ST.JOSEPH FC ...
 K. Grima, M. Bonello, S. Meilak, J. Bajada (J. Abela), N. Portelli, D. Cutajar, J. Bonello, L. Buttigieg, D. Abela, C. Portelli (K. Portelli), M. Tabone. |
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 XAGHRA
UNITED FC ...
 (M.
Bezzina 60’)M. Vella, J. Attard, E. Bugeja (J. Portelli), J. Agius, A. Farrugia, J. Galea, D. Attard, P. Attard, M. Bezzina, N. Farrugia (A. Bajada), S.F. Bajada (S. Sultana). |
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Struggling Qala St. Joseph gave leaders Xaghra United a run for their money in a match that kept getting more nervous by the minute until Micheal Bezzina’s providential strike on the hour. Pressure was on the Blues from the very first minute as they marched onto the pitch with the knowledge of St. Lawrence’s victory over neighbors Gharb. In the end the result was not faithful to the ninety minutes as Xaghra dominated their opponents throughout the whole match. However, the woodwork together with a couple of eyebrow-raising saves by Saints keeper Kenny Grima kept getting in the way of Xaghra and the three points. Qala never seemed close to scoring, although they could have struck a dramatic equalizer deep into stoppage time in their only serious threat to Vella’s territory. Xaghra took command of play from the early stages and produced pressure over their opponents. In the first minute of play a header by Josef Galea ended just over the crossbar and minutes later a direct free kick by Eman Bugeja was well saved by goalie Kenny Grima. On 12 minutes a shot from outside the area by Johann Attard ended just wide and six minutes later a goal by Sam Frank Bajada, who headed in goal a cross by Eman Bugeja, was disallowed for a foul by the same Bajada on the goalkeeper. Qala’s goalie Kenny Grima was well placed on 25 minutes to save a header by Josef Galea from a corner by Eman Bugeja. In the 34th minute the same goalkeeper turned in corner with difficulty a header by Josef Galea from another set piece by Eman Bugeja and three minutes later a shot by Michael Bezzina from outside the area missed the target. Five minutes from the break an effort by Johann Attard ended wide and minutes later an effort by Sam Frank Bajada with the goalkeeper out of his position ended wide. In the first minute of stoppage time the Blues were also unlucky when a direct free kick by Eman Bugeja hit the crossbar. After the restart Xaghra maintained their pressure and in the 47th minute a low shot by substitute Anthony Bajada was well saved by goalie Kenny Grima. Five minutes later qala’s rearguard went through serious danger as Daniel Cutajar mis-kicked in an attempt to clear the danger from the area and the ball ended on the crossbar with the goalkeeper out of his position. On 55 minutes goalie Kenny Grima once again distinguished himself with a fine save to turn in corner a header by Sam Frank Bajada. On the hour of play Xaghra broke the deadlock through an excellent strike by Michbael Bezzina from outside the area that ended in goal despite Grima attempt to turn in corner. Three minutes later the same Bezzina could have doubled the score but the ball once again hit the crossbar. On 73 minutes Qala’s goalkeeper Kenny Grima was called to make another difficult save to turn in corner a low strike by Eman Bugeja. The Blues reduced pressure while the Maroons tried to get out of their area in an attempt to save the result. Qala went very close to level the score in the second minute of stoppage time when Jason Bonello released substitute Joseph Abela just outside Xaghra’s area but the latter had his lob well blocked by goalie Matthew Vella so as to preserve the clean sheet and, more importantly, the three points for his side. Referee: Mario Apap |
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