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MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE |
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XAGHRA REMAIN IN RACE FOR PROMOTION |
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 XAGHRA
UNITED FC ... 
(P.
Attard 31’, A. Farrugia 71’, E. Bugeja 85’)M. Vella, J. Attard, J. Bartolo, S. Sultana (E. Bugeja), A. Farrugia, J. Galea, A. Bajada (M. Bezzina), P. Attard, S.F. Bajada, M. Scerri, D. Bartolo (S. Sultana). |
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 ORATORY
YOUTHS FC ... 
(D.
Lautier 47’)F. Vella, A. Zammit (A. Sacco), M. Grech, G. Grech, F. Cini, K. Grech, A. Sacco (G. Caruana), D. Lautier, O. Saliba (C. Xuereb), J. Cassar, G.L. Zammit. |
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Xaghra United registered their third win over Oratory Youths in the campaign and with the points obtained they kept their hopes challenge for promotion alive. It was a deserved win. Xaghra were much more motivated and dictated matters throughout the first period. They suffered Oratory’s comeback in the early stages of the second period but regained territorial command of play to obtain the victory with two goals that arrived in the last twenty minutes of the encounter. Oratory contained the pressure during the first half and managed to produce a good reaction after the break. They leveled the score early into the second period and operated some dangerous breaks so that they kept Xaghra’s rearguard on their toes. The Youths remained in contention until Xaghra scored their third goal that arrived five minutes from time. For this match Xaghra had Sam Frank Bajada back in the starting line up but had Eman Bugeja, Michael Bezzina and Justin Agius who were among the reserves. Oratory had Chris Attard missing due to suspension and Joseph Grech due to an injury. The Blues came out very aggressive but Oratory’s rearguard was well deployed and kept their area clear of serious danger. On 16 minutes an effort by Joseph Bartolo ended just wide. One minute later Oratory’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella was well placed to block a dangerous cross by Johann Attard. The same goalkeeper made a difficult save on 25 minutes to turn in corner an angled shot by Joseph Bartolo after receiving from Daniel Bartolo. From the same corner action goalie Vella blocked an attempt by Philip Attard. On the half hour of play Philip Attard was unlucky when his shot following a pass by Johann Attard hit the base of the post. Howveer, Philip Attard opened the score one minute later when he placed in goal with a low shot following a through pass by Joseph Bartolo. On 38 minute Xaghra were again dangerous through a strike by Anthony Bajada that ended just wide and four minutes from half time goalie Franklin Vella made a good save to block an effort by Johan Attard. After the resumption the Youths came out more determined and leveled the score after two minutes of play through a fine header by Dione Lautier following a cross from the right by Francesco Cini. Xaghra had an immediate reaction and on 51 minutes Oratory’s goalie Franklin Vella went up to the edge of the area to block on Daniel Bartolo who came face to face with the goalkeeper. The same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save four minutes later following a direct free kick by Anthony Bajada and on 56 minutes Oratory’s goalie saved an effort by Daniel Bartolo following a personal action. Oratory released some pressure and on 65 minutes an effort by Dione Lautier missed the target. Four minutes later a corner kick by Francesco Cini ended up in a melee in Xaghra’s area but Alex Sacco’s header was saved by goalie Matthew Vella. Xaghra regained the lead on 71 minutes. Arthur Farrugia won a ball at the edge of the area, dribbled two defenders and placed in goal with a low shot. Oratory tried to produce a reaction in an attempt to save the result but Xaghra increased their lead with a goal that arrived five minutes from time. Substitute Eman Bugeja entered Oratory’s area from the right flank and placed in goal with a low angled shot. Oratory were now demoralized and Oratory controlled their lead with authority until the final whistle. Referee: George Portelli |
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