SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

THE WANDERERS JOIN XEWKIJA AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE WITH AN EASY VICTORY

(M Buttigieg 5’; I Adesina 28’pen 89’; J Vella 87’)

    SK Victoria Wanderers replied to Xewkija’s recent convincing victory with an easy win over Munxar Falcons.  The Wanderers obtained the three points at stake with the least possible effort.  They took an early lead and continued to dominate for the rest of the match.  This was a difficult match for the Falcons, who are aiming to win points to avoid the bottom place on the table.  However, they were forced to spend most of the time at their defence and they were rarely dangerous in their counter attacks, except for a patch during the second period when they managed to re-open the issue for some minutes.

   The citizens had an excellent start and opened the score in the 5^th minute through Mark Buttigieg, who placed in goal from close distance following a free kick by Simon Gatt.  The Wanderers kept insisting and in the 8^th minute Joseph Vella had a low shot that ended wide following an inviting pass by Ajibade Adesina.  The Falcons replied in the 15^th minute with a shot by Patrick Falzon that was well saved by goalie Marlon Mercieca. In the 27^th minute Mark Buttigieg concluded badly from an ideal position a pass by Joseph Vella.  However, the Wanderers doubled the score in the 28^th minute from a penalty, awarded by the referee for a foul by Robert Hili on Mark Buttigieg and converted by Ige Adesina.  In the 35^th minute Munxar’s goalie Adrian Parnis was called to make a difficult save to turn in corner a strike from outside the area by Ige Adesina and seconds from half time it was Ajibade Adesina who concluded wide from close distance following a melee at Munxar’s goalmouth.

    The Wanderers continued to dictate maters after the break but Muxar’s rearguard continued to resist.  In the 57^th minute a free kick by Joseph Vella crossed in front of an open goal but both Ajibade Adesina and Ige Adesina failed to connect.  Minutes later goalie Parnis blocked in corner a close ranged shot by Ige Adesina and from the resultant corner Ajibade Adesina’s header was deflected on the crossbar by goalie Parnis. In the 61^st minute Ajibade Adesina’s shot from a pass by Ige Adesina was well saved by goalie Parnis and two minutes later Ajibade Adesina headed wide from close distance following a cross by Ige Adesina. 

    Munxar replied in the 74^th minute with a shot by Robert Said that missed the target following a pass by Joseph Calleja. The same Said was denied a goal one minute later when he entered the area but had his attempt cleared off the line by Frank Buttigieg with the goalkeeper beaten.  Munxar’s efforts were rewarded in the 78^th minute through Patrick Falzon who placed in goal with a lob following a through pass by Joseph Calleja.  Victoria produced an immediate reaction and in the following minutes they had two efforts by Ajibade Adesina and Mark Buttigieg on separate occasion that were stopped by the crossbar.  In the 86^th minute Ajibade Adesina incredibly concluded wide when he came face to face with the goalkeeper following a solo action. However, Victoria made sure of the victory with two goals in the final minutes of the match. Joseph Vella made it 3-1 in the 87^th minute with a low shot following a personal action and two minutes later Ige Adesina sealed the issue with a fine header following a cross by Chris Sciortino.

Referee:   Joe Agius

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY