MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE

ST LAWRENCE END THE SECOND ROUND AT THE TOP

ST LAWRENCE SPURS FC ...

S. Micallef, P.A. Attard, J. Micallef, F. Grima, L. Pisani, S. Sultana, M. Cutajar, G. Conti, R. Formosa, S. Muscat, C. Cauchi.

ORATORY YOUTHS FC ...

(K. Grech 53’)

F. Vella, M. Grech, K. Grech, F. Cini, G. Grech, C. Attard, J. Grech (O. Saliba), J. Cassar, G.L. Zammit, G. Caruana (G.F. Mizzi), D. Lautier.

  In their last match of the second round St Lawrence Spurs managed to obtain the thre points at stake from their match against Oratory Youths so that they managed to defend their leadership.  The Spurs found it more difficult than expected especially when considering that they were coming from a convincing win in their previous match.  The Saints suffered Oratory’s pressure during the first period, although they took the lead from an early goal.  After the break Oratory leveled the score and the Spurs only managed to score the goal that decided the issue late in the ,match when their opponents were reduced to ten players.  Oratory had a very positive performance overall and produced much more scoring opportunities than their opponents.  However, they were erratic in front of goal and ended up compromising what could have been, at least, a deserved point.

  Oratory came out more aggressive and produced some very good scoring opportunities.  On 14 minutes Dione Lautier could have opened the score for the Youths but he concluded wide form a good position.  St. Lawrence opened the score in their first approach to Oratory’s area, Franklin Grima fired a shot from outside the area following a clearance from a corner action, the ball hit the crossbar and from the rebound Gothard Conti headed easily into an open goal.  The Youths were not demoralized and were dangerous three minutes later through an effort by George Carauna that missed the target.  On 24 minutes Dione Lautier entered St Lawrence’s area; the ball arrived to an unmarked George Caruana who concluded wide from a good position.  Just before the half hour of play a long ranged strike by Marvin Grech ended just high and on 32 minutes an angled shot by Dione Lautier ended wide.  The Saints replied on 38 minutes through a long ranged shot by Renzo Formosa that was saved with difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella.  Five minutes before half time Oratory’s Dione Lautier once again had a good scoring opportunity when he entered the area with a solo action but concluded weak and goalie Micallef saved without difficulty.

  The Saints tried to produce some pressure over their opponents after the break.  On 49 minutes Oratory’s goalie Franklin Vella saved with difficulty a direct corner kick by Gothard Conti.  Oratory, however, managed to level the score four minutes later.  George Caruana entered the area from the right flank and from his low pass Kevin Grech netted with a first timer that surprised goalie Micallef. Play now became more exciting as the Saints were shocked while the Youths gained some confidence and operated dangerous break in St Lawrence’s territory.  On 59 minutes Dione Lautier won a tussle at St Lawrence’s edge of the area but concluded weak and goalie Micallef saved without difficulty.  Two minutes later it was Oratory’s central defender Chris Attard who saved his goal when he blocked in corner an effort by Paul Anthony Attard following a personal action.  On 69 minutes Oratory’s George Louis Zammit headed weak following an inviting cross by Dione Lautier and two minutes later St Lawrence replied with an angled shot by Gothard Conti that ended on the side of the net.  In the 74th minute Oratory’s substitute Oliver Saliba hesitated to conclude a low cross by Goerge Louis Zammit and his attempt was well saved by goalie Samuel Micallef.

  One minute later the Youths ended with a player less on the field when Joshua Cassar was sent off for a second caution.  St Lawrence took advantage of the extra player on the field and regained the lead on 84 minutes.  A through pass by Mario Cutajar arrived to an unmarked Paul Anthony Attard who netted with a close ranged shot from an angled position.  Oratory tried to save the result in the final minutes but the Spurs defended well and kept danger away from the area until the final whistle.

Referee: Anton Zammit

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