SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

St LAWRENCE SPURS TAKE SOLE LEADERSHIP WITH A CLOSE VICTORY

     St Lawrence Spurs obtained three precious points from their difficult match against Zebbug Rovers and are now sole leaders on the table. The victory for St Lawrence matured with a fine performance produced during the first half, where they should have expressed their superiority with more goals. After the break the Spurs suffered from Zebbug’s reaction and risked to compromise all the good work produced during the first 45 minutes. The Rovers faced this match in a difficult situation due to injuries of key players like Alex Tramboo, Manwel Cordina and Josef Cefai, and they compromised the result with a poor performance produced during the first period.

    The Saints dictated matters from the early stages going close to scoring through a free kick by Jesmond Xerri in the 2^nd minute of play. Zebbug’s rearguard was often under pressure and Oliver Farugia and substitute Joshua Cassar both lost good scoring opportunities. The Spurs scored what had to be the decisive goal in the 32^nd minute. Zebbug’s rearguard failed to clear danger from a free kick by Jesmond Xerri and Jonathan Micallef was well placed to push the ball beyond the fatal line. St Lawrence continued to be the better side but failed to increase their lead. The closest they went to scoring was in the 37^th minute when an effort by Paul Attard was blocked by goalie Darrn pace.

    The Rovers were in a better shape after the break and produced a reaction which surprised St Lawrence’s rearguard. Goalie Samuel Micallef made a good save in the 49^th minute following a header by Ryan Buttigieg. The same Buttigieg went close to scoring six minutes later with a fine shot that ended just wide. The Saints replied in the 60^th minute with a strike by Jesmond Xerri that ended just over the crossbar. However, Zebbug increased their efforts as time passed by but attempts by Patrick Camilleri and Mario Calleja missed the target. In the dying moments the two sides could have scored a goal. In the 86^th minute St Lawrence’s Joshua Cassar had a good effort that ended on the side of the net, while a minute later Zebbug’s Basil Chibuexe entered the area with a personal action but had his shot blocked in time by the defence. In the second minute of stoppage time St Lawrence’s goalkeeper Samuel Micallef saved the result for his side when he deflected in corner an attempt by substitute Neville Mercieca.   Referee:  Mario Apap

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