HOTSPURS WIN SUPER CUP FOR THE EIGHT TIME

VICTORIA HOTSPURS FC ...

M. Grima, M. Vella, D. Farrugia, J.P. Grima, A. Zammit, N. Borg, J. Portelli (R. Grech), E. Nkwankwo, U. Anyanwu, O. Farrugia (J. Xerri), M. Hanus.

SANNAT LIONS

P. Galea, M. Bamba, N. Filipov, B. Njoku, M. Azzopardi, F. Debono (P. Spiteri), M. Formosa, M. Muscat, E. Grima, S. Rais, J. Camilleri.

  The football season 2009/2010 in Gozo came to an end on Wednesday May 19 with the final of the Richard Ellis GFA Super Cup, a competition contested by the champions Victoria Hotspurs and the winners of the BOV GFA Cup Sannat Lions.  The match was also transmitted live on Melita Sports.  The match turned out to be a well contested encounter but Victoria Hotspurs came out the winners with a goal scored by Uncenna Anyanwu after twenty minutes of play.  The Hotspurs saw more of the ball during the first period, mainly because Sannat seemed timid although they created some dangerous actions at Victoria’s goal.  Sannat on the other hand pressed forward after the break but Victoria’s rearguard had an excellent performance and managed to defend their one-goal lead until the final whistle.  Victoria’s goalkeeper Mark Grima together with central defenders Michael Vella and Daniel Farrugia blocked all Sannat’s efforts to score a goal that could have re-opened their chances to defend the honour won last season.  This was Victoria’s fourth honour of the season after winning the Independence Cup, the Freedom Day Cup and the Championship.

  The Hotspurs went close to scoring after just three minutes of play through an attempt by Martin Hanus from a corner action that was cleared off the line by Nikolai Filipov.  The same Filipov was dangerous three minutes later but his first timer from a cross by Moussa Bamba that ended just wide.  On ten minutes Sannat had a strike by Sabri Rais from outside the area that missed the target.  The Hotspurs replied one minute later through an angled shot by Martin Hanus following a pass by Oliver Farrugia that ended inches wide.  On 20 minutes Victoria scored the goal that decided the issue when Uchenna Anyanwu received a low pass from Martin Hanus and although the former had a tight angle he managed to fire in goal.  Three minutes later Sannat replied with an effort by John Camilleri that ended high.  Two minutes later Victoria went very close to increase their lead but an attempt by Martin Hanus was cleared off the line by Mario Azzopardi.

  After just two minutes of play into the second period Sannat’s John Camilleri arrived late to a fine cross by Rais and failed ti head the ball in goal from close distance.  As time passed by Victoria’s defensive department gained confidence and controlled Sannat’s reaction with authority.  Sannat had their best opportunity to level the score on 67 minutes when Sabri Rais came face to face with the goalkeeper but the striker concluded weak and Mark Grima managed to clear the danger.  On 79 minutes Sannat’s goalkeeper Paul Galea kept his side in contention with a fine save following a shot by Eric Nkwankwo and one minute later Sannat threatened Victoria’s goal with a strike by Mark Muscat that was neutralized by goalie Mark Grima.  The same goalkeeper was called to make a good save on 83 minutes to turn in corner an angled shot by John Camilleri.  In the 90th minute Sannat lost their last opportunity to level the score when a direct free kick by Nikolai Filipov from a favourable position ended high.  Sannat ended the match on a bad note as they had substitute goalkeeper Demis Bajada sent off from the substitute bench for unsporting behaviour and in the fourth minute of stoppage time they also had Mario Azzopardi sent off following a second bookable offence.

  After the final whistle Mr. Tonio Ellis together with the GFa president Mr Alvin Grech, the GFA secretary Mr Joe Bajada and the GFA treasurer Mr George Cini presented the Super Cup medals, trophy and shield to Victoria’s players among the celebrations of the players, officials and supporters.