SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

THE WANDERERS WIN DIRECT CLASH AND REACH THE TOP OF THE TABLE

    SK Victoria Wanderers obtained an important victory from their match against direct contenders for promotion Xewkija Tigers. Victoria’s victory matured with an excellent performance during the second period. They scored the two goals and could have obtained a larger victory with more attention in front of Xewkija’s goal. With the three points obtained Victoria skipped the same Xewkija on the table and reached leaders St Lawrence Spurs. The Tigers had a good performance during the first half but were shocked as soon as they suffered the first goal so that they became demoralised as time passed by.

    The citizens came out more adventurous. They saw more of the ball but found it difficult to produce danger to Joseph Grima’s goal. The best scoring opportunity arrived in the 4^th minute through a shot from the edge of the area by Ige Adesina that ended just over the crossbar. The Tigers were well deployed and contained Victoria’s initiative to operate with fast breaks. In the 19^th minute Victoria’s goalie Marlon Mercieca chose good timing to block an effort by Christian Bugeja. Xewkija took command of the midfield midway through the first half, but the Wanderers went closest to scoring in the 33^rd minute when Ajibade Adesina incredibly concluded wide from close distance following a fine move on the left flank by Ige Adesina.

    After the resumption Victoria regained some confidence and opened the score in the 48^th minute through a close ranged shot by Ajibade Adesina following a cross by Simon Gatt. Xewkija failed to produce an immediate reaction and five minutes later Xewkija’s goalie Grima made a difficult save to stop an effort by Ige Adesina following a pass by Ajibade Adesina. Minutes later Ige Adesina lost a good scoring opportunity when he hit badly from an ideal position.

    In the 60^th minute a low shot by Chris Sciortino ended just wide. Two minutes later Ige Adesina had another effort that just missed the target following a solo effort. Xewkija went close to scoring in the 65^th minute but Luc’s shot from outside the area was well saved by goalie Marlon Mercieca. In the 71^st minute Ige Adesina entered the area with a personal action but had his shot cleared off the line with the goalkeeper beaten by Saviour Farrugia. From the rebound Chris Sciortino shot wide from a good position. The same Sciortino had a free kick turned in corner by goalie Grima in the 76^th minute. Xewkija’s goalie Joseph Grima distinguished himself in the 83^rd minute when he blocked a close ranged shot by Chris Sciortino following a melee in the area. Two minutes later Victoria’s goalie Marlon Mercieca was also called to make a difficult save when he turned in corner a shot by Ouahbo Luc. The Wanderers sealed the issue in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a goal scored by Ige Adesina following a solo action. Referee: Sammy Attard

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY