SPRITE 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE

EASY VICTORY FOR THE TIGERS

    Contenders for promotion Xewkija Tigers registered their third victory over Oratory Youths in the campaign and are back within three points from leaders SK Victoria wanderers and with a game in hand. The Tigers dominated over their opponents and they could have registered a larger score. The protagonist for Xewkija was undoubtedly striker Christian Bugeja who scored four of the goals and regained leadership of the top-scorer table with 19 goals.

    The Tigers took command of play from the beginning and in the early stages Christian Bugeja had two attempts on separate occasions that missed the target. However, Bugeja opened the score in the 11^th minute by concluding in goal with a low shot an inviting pass by Mark Camilleri. In the 20^th minute Joseph Azzopardi concluded badly from a good position so that Oratory’s goalie Kenny Grima saved without difficulty. Oratory produced a reaction midway through the first half and were dangerous with an attempt by Ishaku Umoru and a shot by Robert Attard in the 25^th minute following a corner action that missed the target.

    In the 30^th minute Xewkija’s goalkeeper Joseph Grima blocked on Ishaku Umoru who entered the area with a solo action. The Tigers replied with a low shot by Christian Bugeja that ended just wide and an effort by Joseph Azzopardi that ended over the crossbar. In the 38^th minute the same Bugeja concluded incredibly wide with an open goal at his mercy and one minute later goalie Kenny Grima denied Bugeja from doubling the score with a fine save. However, Bugeja managed to double the score in the 40^th minute when he dribbled the goalkeeper and placed easily into an open goal. Two minutes later Xewkija could have increased the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Charles Xuereb on Luc Tefogno but Kenny Grima saved well Christian Bugeja’s shot from the spot kick. Seconds from half time Xewkija’s goalie denied Ishaku Umoru from re-opening the issue with a difficult intervention.

    Xewkija dominated over their opponents throughout the second period. They increased the score in the 51^st minute through a long ranged shot by Josef Xerri that surprised goalie Kenny Grima and in the following minutes they lost good scoring opportunities through Luc Tefogno, Joseph Cefai and Christian Bugeja. In the 66^th minute Joseph Cefai concluded incredibly wide when he was alone in the area and four minutes later goalie Kenny Grima made a difficult save following an attempt by Mark Camilleri. Christian Bugeja registered his personal hat-trick with a goal scored in the 72^nd minute, taking advantage of a mishap at Oratory’s defence and the same striker made the final score 5-0 in the 75^th minute with a low shot.   Referee:   Joe Agius

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