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MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE |
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ST. LAWRENCE BOUNCE TOP |
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 XAGHRA
UNITED FC ... 
(P. Attard 45+1’)M. Vella, Sm. Sultana, Sh. Sultana (M. Scerri), J. Galea, A. Farrugia, M. Buhagiar, M. Bezzina, S.F. Bajada (E. Bugeja), P. Attard, J. Attard (J. Mercieca), J. Agius. |
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 ST
LAWRENCE SPURS FC ... 
(G. Conti 9’, C. Cauchi 77’, S. Muscat 82’)S. Micallef, P. A. Attard (R. Formosa), J. Micallef, F. Grima, L. Pisani, S. Sultana (L. Cauchi), M. Cutajar, G. Conti, S. Muscat, C. Cauchi, D. Micallef. |
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The long-awaited direct clash of the second division saw St. Lawrence Spurs leapfrog Xaghra United and lodge themselves at the top of the standings with a point of advantage over the same Blues. The Saints owe their victory to a better approach that yielded a goal after just nine minutes and recover from a difficult patch of pay especially during the final stages of the first half. Xaghra had a slow start and their manoeuvre seemed to be shackled by the weight of the encounter. However, they managed an equalizer just before half time and changed the story of the second half. The Blues were dictating play again for the first part of the second period but failed to materialise their apparent superiority into scoring opportunities. As the game went on St. Lawrence raised their centre of gravity, especially through Renzo Formosa’s introduction for the last twenty minutes. Formosa took advantage of the gaps in Xaghra’s rearguard to provide the two decisive assists that enabled the Saints to clinch both victory and leadership. The Spurs came out more aggressive and opened the score on 9 minutes. Christopher Cauchi entered the area with a personal action but was tackled in the area. The ball arrived to an unmarked Gothard Conti at the second post and netted easily into an open goal. Xaghra had an immediate reaction but found it very difficult to create serious danger to their opponent’s goal. In the 17th minute an attempt by Philip Attard following a personal action was cleared in corner by defender Daniel Micallef. On the half hour of play a close ranged shot by Mark Buhagiar was blocked by the rearguard. Three minutes later the Saints produced a fast break but goalie Matthew Vella went out of goal up to the edge of the area to clear the danger before Shaun Muscat could attempt to conclude. On 43 minutes a shot from outside the area by Philip Attard ended away from St Lawrence’s goal. However, the same Attard was more precise in the first minute of stoppage time before the break. He took advantage of a mishap at the rearguard and fired in goal with a low shot from outside the area that was out of Samuel Micallef’s reach to give his side a deserved equaliser before the break. Xaghra maintained their momentum after the restart and in the 47th minute a strike by Mark Buhagiar was turned in corner by goalie Samuel Micallef. From the same corner action Philip Attard’s header was neutralised by goalie Micallef. On 58 minutes Xaghra operated a fast break but Philip Attard’s attempt was blocked by goalie Samuel Micallef and from the rebound the same Attard crossed from the flank by Shaun Sultana’s header ended wide. Play continued to be well contested and the two defensive departments were both under pressure to keep danger away from the respective area. As a result the game became static and the ball remained mainly in midfield. However, as the game seemed heading towards a draw, two defensive mistakes in the space of a five minutes that were to cost Xaghra dear. On 77 minutes St. Lawrence managed to penetrate the area. Substitute Renzo Formosa released Shaun Muscat on the right flank. The latter dosed a fine cross and Christopher Cauchi was at the right place to head home from close distance. Xaghra were shocked and the Spurs increased their lead five minutes later. Once again it was Renzo Formosa who provided the inspiration for Shaun Muscat to close the match on 82 minutes. St Lawrence’s striker Muscat followed Formosa’s through pass and the striker placed in goal with a low shot as goalie Matthew Vella went out of his area in an attempt to block the fast break. Minutes later the same Muscat had a shot from a good position that missed the target and on 86 minute Xaghra were unlucky when a direct free kick by substitute Joseph Mercieca hit the woodwork. In the final minutes Xaghra had other two good attempts by Josef Galea on separate occasions that missed the target. Referee: Anton Zammit |
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