MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE

XAGHRA RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

XAGHRA UNITED FC ...

(D. Bartolo 34’, 75’; J. Mercieca 35’, J. Sultana 86’, A. Bajada 90’)

M. Vella, J. Agius, J. Bartolo (J. Sultana), S. Sultana, A. Farrugia, M. Scerri, J. Mercieca (M. Bezzina), J. Attard, J. Galea, P. Attard (A. Bajada), D. Bartolo.

 QALA ST JOSEPH FC ...

K. Grima, N. Portelli, D. Cutajar, C. Muscat, S. Meilak, J. Rapa, D. Abela, L. Buttigieg (C. Hili), J. Bonello, J. J. Abela, P.J. Mizzi.

  Xaghra United registered their third win over Qala St Joseph in the campaign and obtained three important points which keeps them in the challenge for the title.  Xaghra recovered from a series of disappointing results.  They come out more determined and paved the way to the victory with two goals scored in the space of one minute in the final stages of the first period.  Qala tried to adopt a defensive approach and did not have an alternative to produce a reaction which could have led them to save the result.

  The Blues came out very aggressive and kept the Maroons under pressure from the early stages.  In the 14th minute Xaghra were dangerous through an attempt by Joseph Bartolo that was cleared with difficulty by goalie Kenny Grima.  On 25 minutes the same Bartolo hesitated to an inviting pass by Johann Attard and ended up concluding wide from an ideal position.  One minute later Qala’s goalie saved with difficulty a low shot by Philip Attard from the edge of the area.  Xaghra opened the score on 34 minutes when a low cross by Simon Sultana surprised goalie Grima and Daniel Bartolo was at the right place for the tap-in, with the ball hitting the base of the post and ended in goal.  Qala were shocked and one minute later the Blues doubled the score.  Philip Attard released Joseph Mercieca and the latter placed easily in goal with a low shot.

  After the resumption Xaghra continued to dictate matters.  On the hour of play Qala’s goalie Kenny Grima turned in corner with difficulty an attempt from an angled position by substitute Michael Bezzina.  The same goalkeeper once again was called to make a difficult save three minutes later to turn in corner a shot from outside the area by Johann Attard following a personal action.  Kenny Grima continued to be the protagonist of the match in the following minutes with a series of good saves following attempts by Daniel Bartolo and Joseph Bartolo to deny Xaghra from scoring the third goal.  However, the third goal arrived on 75 minutes.  Daniel Bartolo entered the area, had his first attempt partially saved by the goalkeeper and from the rebound the same Bartolo placed easily into an open goal.  Four minutes from time Xaghra increased their lead through a header by substitute Joseph Sultana following a corner kick by the other substitute Anthony Bajada.  In the dying moments Xaghra continued to be dangerous.  Anthony Bajada had a good effort three minutes from time that was neutralized by goalie Grima but the same Bajada sealed the issue seconds before the final whistle when he converted in goal from close distance after receiving from Michael Bezzina 

Referee: Pierre Azzopardi

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