vs
3	-	1
12', 72' C.Camilleri 22'  E. Vella		70' I. Xuereb

Xewkija Tigers do the double over Victoria Hotspurs to keep the co-leadership of Melita First Division with Nadur Youngsters, both on 19 points.  Xewkija deserved their win as they were the better side on the field and controlled their opponents throughout the match, with the exception of the first few minutes of the second half.  The victory, which was eased by an early red card to a Victoria Hotspurs player, could have been much larger have their strikers been less erratic in front of goal.  Xewkija faced this match without prolific striker John Camilleri who was serving his one-match ban.

The Tigers had the best start and after a couple of minutes an early strike by Chris Camilleri ended wide.  On 12 minutes, referee Clayton Pisani awarded Xewkija Tigers a penalty, when striker Rodney Buttigieg was floored in the penalty area, with the referee giving a red card to Alex Tramboo of Victoria Hotspurs for successive yellow cards.  Chris Camilleri took the responsibility of the penalty kick and beat goalie Grima to put the Tigers ahead so early in the match.  Xewkija increased their lead on 22 minutes when a direct free kick by Elton Vella, surprised goalie Mark Grima on his first post. Until the end of the half, Xewkija were dangerous on another couple of occasions with Rodney Buttigieg and Chris Camilleri.

In the second half the Hotspurs came out more aggressive and tried on several occasion to hit the Xewkija defence but the Tigers resisted quite well and lost some excellent goal scoring opportunities by Rodney Buttigieg, Chris Camilleri and Mark Camilleri.  These mistakes in front of goal were punished on 70 minutes when Victoria's Ian Xuereb made the most out of some misunderstanding in the Xewkija defence to slot in an empty net and to reduce the deficit.  Xewkija however re-established their two-goal lead just two minutes later when Paul Rapa was upended in the box, with the referee awarding the second penalty of the match from which Chris Camilleri made no mistake and beat Grima for the second time. One minute later Xewkija could have added another goal when Manuel Xerri, fed by Christian Bugeja, concluded wide from an ideal position.  Xewkija controlled the issue untiil the end, with Victoria failing to be dangerous in front of goal. 

Photos by Gozo Football Associatoin (www.gfa.com.mt)

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 January 2012 06:44 )