SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

THE SPURS DEFEAT NEIGHBOURS WITH SECOND HALF GOALS

    St Lawrence maintained their chances to re-join the title race with three points obtained from a victory over neighbours Gharb rangers. This was the third victory for St Lawrence over Gharb in the campaign. The Spurs were the better side throughout the match but failed to turn their superiority in goals. Gharb had a defensive deployment and resited St Lawrence’s pressure. Goalie Matgthew Vella had a positive performance and the Rangers could have registered a surprising result with more attention in their few approaches in St Lawrence’s area.

    St Lawrence as expected came out more aggressive and could have scored an early goal. In the 7^th a header by Louis Galea from a corner kick by Jesmond Xerri ended inches over the crossbar. Minutes later Joshua Cassar concluded on the side of the net from an angled position and in the 17^th minute Gharb’s goalie Matthew Vella saved well an effort by Adalberto Goncalves. The Saints went again close to scoring in the 24^th minute but Joshua Cassar failed to take advantage of a lose ball from a melee at Gharb’s area. In the 27^th minute Jesmond Xerri addressed the ball in goal following a fast break but Joshua Cassar guided the ball across the fatal line from an offside position and the goal was disallowed. The Spurs kept insisting but until half time Gharb’s goalie was not called to make difficult saves.

    Gharb’s extreme defender Matthew Vella had to go out of his position in the second minute of the second period to block an effort by Oliver Farrugia and from the rebound Alalberto Goncalves lobbed over the crossbar. St Lawrence opened the score in the 55^th minute. It was substitute Renzo Formosa who headed in goal from close distance following a corner kick by Oliver Farrugia. Gharb lost a golden opportunity to level the score in the 62^nd minute. Substitute Jamie Farrugia unmarked Michael Chika in the area but the latter concluded badly over the crossbar when he was alone facing goalie Samuel Micallef.

      In the 68^th minute the Saints doubled the score. Oliver Farrugia, who had a positive match, escaped in a fast break from the right and from his pass Adalberto Goncalves concluded easily into an open goal with a low shot. Gharb replied minutes later with a weak header by Arthur Farrugia following a cross by Aaron Camilleri that was well saved by goalie Samuel Micallef and in the 75^th minute a shot by substitute Jamie Farrugia from outside the area missed the target.

Referee:    Reno Refalo

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY