vs
4	-	0
19' John Camilleri 45+2' , 76' Rodney Buttigieg 84' Mark Camilleri

With two goals in each half, the Tigers are back to winning ways following a draw in their last league outing against SK Victoria Wanderers, to go back on top with 10 points ahead of Nadur who trail by a single point, who however have a game in hand.  It was a convincing performance by Xewkija where they were very strong in defence and incisive up front with the midfield being on top form to cancel the Lions from the match.  In fact Sannat were only dangerous through set pieces or through individual efforts.  

Play was rather balanced in the first part of the match with Sannat being aggressive and had a shot on target after just 1 minute through Diego Maradona Pietraggi which was saved with ease by goalkeeper Grima.  However as time passed by, the Tigers seemed to be more in control and by no surprise they took the lead on 19 minutes, when Mark Camilleri passed to John Camilleri with the latter firing in goal from close range to beat Parnis.  Sannat's reaction arrived on 29 minutes through a personal action by Josiah Fenech but his effort ended wide.  Xewkija replied a minute later through an effort by Rodney Buttigieg, fed by Mark Camilleri, which ended just wide. On 34 minutes Pietraggi headed badly from an ideal position following a free kick from the right.  On 45 minutes a header by Mark Camilleri following a free kick from the left by Chris Camilleri, hit the post with goalie Parnis saving on a second attempt.  However, Xewkija managed to double their lead a minute later when Chris Camilleri entered the area with a personal action, dribbled the goalkeeper and from his cross Rodney Buttigieg netted from close distance.  Before the half time whistle, Sannat replied through a dangerous free kick by Pietraggi which was neutralized by goalie Grima.  

Sannat tried to put pressure on the Tigers on restart, and on 47 minutes an angled shot by Josiah Fenech ended wide and six minutes later a header by Frank Debono hit the side netting with goalie Grima in control.  On 67 minute the same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save from a direct free kick by Pietraggi, however the Tigers increased their lead on 76 minutes when Chris Camilleri produced a fine move on the left and from his cross Rodney Buttigieg scored his second of the day with a fine header.  The Tigers were now in complete domination and scored the fourth goal six minutes from time when Rodney Buttigieg entered the box from the right hand side and from his cross Mark Camilleri concluded with ease in the back of the net.  Three minutes into stoppage time the same Buttigieg could have sealed his hattrick when being released by Christian Bugeja in the box he concluded high.

- Photos by Gozo Football Association (www.gfa.com.mt)

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 December 2011 01:05 )