SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

THE WANDERERS REGISTER A TREBLE IN THE LOWER CATEGORY

M Mercieca, K Azzopardi, F Buttigieg, S Gatt, D Udo Monday, J Refalo (L Dimech), C Sciortino, JN Attard, I Adesina, J Vella, A Adesina.

D Pace, C Borg, M Calleja, J Hili, P Cardona, B Chibueze, F Magrin, J Cordina (M Saliba), C Buttigieg, C Cini, A Grech (N Mercieca).

          SK Victoria Wanderers ended the season on an excellent note by winning the Challneg Cup for the lower category.  In the final, which is contested by the winners of the championship and KO winners or finalists, the citizens defeated Zebbug Rovers.  It was a deserved victory for Victoria in this match as they dominated over their opponents and the result was obtained with the least possible efforts.  This third honour for the Wanderers confirmed the expectations expressed at the beginning of the season when they were considered a hot favourites to dominate the category.

          The Wanderers took command of the midfield from the very beginning.  However, the Rovers were well deployed at the defence and operated with counter attacks through Basil Chibueze.  The citizens could have opened the score in the 10^th minute but Ige Adesina’s shot from an ideal position ended over the crossbar.  One minute later the same Adesina released Frank Buttigieg in the area but the latter concluded badly from a good position.  The Rovers had a long ranged free kick by Joseph Cordina in the 21^st minute that ended high.  Victoria opened the score one minte later.

    Joseph Vella entered from the right but the clearance by the defence was short and Chris Sciortino was well placed and netted with a low shot.  Minutes later Zebbug’s goalie Darren Pace saved well a low shot by Ige Adesina.  In the 28^th minute Victoria’s Ajibade Adesina went close to scoring with a low shot that ended inches wide and the Rovers replied with a free kick by Chris Buttigieg that just missed the target.  Minutes from half time Victoria’s Ajibade Adesina incredibly missed the tap-in following a good move by Joseph Vella.

          On the resumption Zebbug failed to produce a reaction and Victoria continued to dictate matters.  The Wanderers also doubled the score in the 54^th minute through a close ranged header by Ige Adesina following a cross from the right flank by Simon Gatt.  Zebbug’s best opportunity to re-open the issue arrived in the 64^th minute through a header by Franco Magrin that was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Marlon Mercieca from a corner kick by Joseph Cordina.  Zebbug’s goalie Darren Pace was called to make a good save in the 69^th minute following a low shot from the edge of the area by Ajibade Adesina.  However, Zebbug managed to reduce the arrears and re-opened the issue in the 76^th minute.

    Victoria’s goalie Marlon Mercieca went out of his area to clear danger but Basil Chibueze followed the ball and Mercieca’s miss to place the ball into an open goal.  Victoria were not demoralised and regained command of play.  In the 83^rd minute Zebbug goalie kept his side in contention with a fine save following a free kick by Chris Sciortino and two minutes later a free kick by Victoria’s Joseph Vella ended just wide.  The Rovers were reduced to ten players in the 89^th minute when Joe Hili was sent off for a second yellow card.  Seconds later Ajibade Adesina concluded wide from close distance following a cross from the right flank.

          After the final whistle GFA president Mr. Joe Cordina presented the trophies in the presence of GFA officials.

Referee: Anton Zammit

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY