SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

THE TIGERS OBTAIN A GOOD VICTORY WITH TEN PLAYERS

    Xewkija Tigers registered a convincing victory over bottom placed Oratory Youths and are joint leaders on the table with St Lawrence Spurs. It was a deserved victory for the Tigers as they managed to remain concentrated even tough they play for about an hour with a player less on the pitch. Oratory seemed in a position to offer a good challenge during the first period, but after the break they failed to take advantage of the extra player and ended up suffering Xewkija’s pressure with ten men.

     The two sides came out very aggressive. In the first minute an effort by Xewkija’s Mark Camilleri hit the post. Oratory replied with a free kick by Francesco Cini that ended in goal but the referee disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. One minute later Xewkija’s goalie Joseph Grima blocked an effort by Ishaku Umoru who came face to face with the goalkeeper. Xewkija replied in the 8^th minute with a low shot by Mark Camilleri from a free kick by Joseph Cefai that ended inches wide. The Tigers opened the score in the 12^th minute through a low shot by Luc Tefogno following an inviting pass by Joseph Cefai. Minutes later a long ranged shot by Xewkija’s Paul Rapa was well saved by goalie Kenny Grima. On the half hour the Tigers ended with a player less on the field when Josmar Vella was sent for an early shower following a second caution. Oratory took advantage and held more possession in the following minutes. They had went closest to level the score in the 41^st minute but Alex Sacco headed badly from an ideal position following a free kick by Orlando Atzori.

     Although the Tigers had a player less they were more dangerous than their opponents in the early stages of the second period. In the 48^th minute a low shot by Luc Tefogno following a fast break was saved with difficulty in corner by goalie Kenny Grima. Three minutes later Xewkija’s Paul Rapa incredibly concluded wide from close distance following a good move by Joseph Cefai. In the 53^rd minute Oratory’s goalie Grima turned with difficulty in corner an effort by Luc Tefogno. In the 63^rd minute Joseph Cefai’s shot from a good position ended over the crossbar. Xewkija doubled the score in the 69^th minute through Mark Camilleri’s low shot to conclude a good move by substitute Christian Bugeja. Three minutes later it was the same Bugeja who practically made sure of the points at stake with a low shot following a through pass by Joseph Cefai and made the score 3-0. Oratory reduced the deficit and scored the consolation goal in the 81^st minute through Ishaku Umoru following a fast couter attack.   Referee:    Chris Francalanza

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