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MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE |
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ZEBBUG REACH ORATORY ON THE TABLE |
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 ORATORY
YOUTHWSN FC ...
 (D.
Lautier 8’)F. Vella, A. Zammit (G. Caruana), G. Grech, C. Attard, J. Cassar, F. Cini, K. Grech, G. L. Zammit, D. Lautier, J. Grech (A. Farrugia), A. Sacco. |
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 ZEBBUG
ROVERS FC ...
 (S.
Galea 4’, G. Grech 20’ o.g., s. Xuereb 90+3’)N. Saliba, G. Sillato (C. Gafa), S. Xuereb, R. Zammit (C. Cassar), P. Cardona, S. Galea, A. Mutalib, F. Magrin, J. Farrugia (M. Pace), J. Hili, M. Calleja. |
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Zebbug Rovers surprised Oratory Youths the last match from the eighth day of the campaign and obtained three precious points that puts them on the third spot on the table together with the same Oratory. The match was well contested as Oratory were aiming to obtain a victory in an attempt to reduce their gap from the leaders. However, Zebbug were well deployed and managed to resist to Oratory’s territorial supremacy and to be effective in their actions at Oratory’s area. Zebbug could have made sure of the three points at an earlier stage since. The Rovers produced enough scoring opportunities during the first period to put their minds at rest but only managed to score the third goal in the dying seconds of the match. At the end Oratory had a disappointing performance as they found it extremely difficult to convert their technical superiority into goal scoring opportunities. With this result the Youths practically lost a golden opportunity to maintain their ambition to be among the challengers for promotion. Oratory came out more aggressive and were also dangerous after just two minutes of play through a direct free kick by Francesco Cini that was neutralised by goalie Noel Saliba. Zebbug replied one minute later through a strike by Ryan Zammit following a pass by Sylvan Galea that was turned in corner by goalie Franlklin Vella. Zebbug opened the score on the 4th minute through a long ranged shot by Sylvan Galea that surprised goalie Vella. The Youths had an immediate reply and managed to level the score four minutes later through a close ranged header by Dione Lautier following a cross from the right flank by Fancesco Cini. Oratory were again dangerous on 12 minutes when an effort by Dione Lautier from a corner kick by Andrew Zammit was cleared off the fatal line y Philip Cardona with the goalkeeper beaten. Oratory maintained territorial supremacy but found it difficult to create danger while Zebbug operated mainly with counter attacks. On 20 minutes the Rovers regained the lead when a cross from the flank by Ryan Zammit was miskicked by Oratory’s central defender Giovan Grech and the ball ended in goal. Oratory’s reaction was sterile and the Rovers were again dangerous on 23 minutes. Abdul Mutalib produced a fast break, he passed to Josmar Farrugia and from the latter’s cross Sylvan Galea’s first timer was saved with difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella. On 32 minutes the same goalkeeper kept his side in contention when he cleared off the goalmouth a close rnaged header by Sylvan Galea. The same Galea threatened Oratory’s rearguard one minute later but his shot from outside the area ended just wide. Seven minutes from half time Zebbug’s goalie Noel Saliba cleared with difficulty a corner kick by Alex Sacco that was addressed to end in goal. After the restart the Rovers came out with the intention to administer their lead. Oratory insisted to recover the deficit and as time passed by they increased some pressure. On 57 minutes Zebbug’s goalie Saliba was well placed to save a free kick by Francesco Cini. On the hour of play Zebbug’s Franco Magrin risked an own goal in an attempt to clear the ball of Dione Lautier. |
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The Rovers could have increased their lead one minute later when Abdul Mutalib entered Oratory’s area in a solo action but he incredibly concluded over the crossbar when he was facing an open goal. On 72 minutes Zebbug were again dangerous through an angled shot by Steve Xuereb that missed the target. Five minutes later Zebbug were again dangerous through a long ranged free kick by Franco Magrin that ended just wide. The same Magrin saved his goal three minutes later when he cleared from the goal mouth a low shot by Francesco Cini. On 82 minutes a header by Dione Lautier from a cross by Kevin Grech ended just high and in an immediate reply by Zebbug Steve Xuereb concluded badly from a good position. Oratory had their last opportunity to save the result on 90 minutes but an angled attempt by substitute George Caruana from a through pass by Francesco Cini ended inches wide. The Rovers sealed the issue in the third minute of stoppage time through Steve Xuereb who lobbed over the goalkeeper who was out of his position from long distance. Referee: Joe Agius |
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