GFA Second Division K/O Semifinal
Oratory Youths FC
1
 (A Sacco 17')
SK Victoria W
4
 (D Muscat 6';A Ige 26',79'; J Vella 77')
Formation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
17. 		Grima Kenny
Scicluna Mario
Portelli Joel *
Cremona Martin
Grech Marvin (C)
Zammit George Louis
Cini Francesco
Orlando Stephen
Umoru Ishaku
Sacco Alex ***
Theuma Stephen
Substitutes:
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
18.
11. 		Borg Daniel
Xuereb Charles **
Atzori Orlando *
Zammit Andrew ***
Grech Kevin
Scicluna Stefan
Attard Robert
Coach:
Grech Dominic
 
Formation:
1.
5.
19.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
20.
17.		   Mercieca Marlon
Buttigieg Mark
Monday David
Simon Gatt
Azzopardi Kevin (C)
Attard Jean Noel
Muscat Daniel *
Sciortino Christopher
Tabone Michael
Adesina Ige **
Vella Joseph
Substitutes:

12.
16.
4.
14.
 
 
 

Debrincat Tony
Micallef David **
Buttigieg Frankie *
Dimech Lauren
Player/Coach:
  Buttigieg Mark
 

Match Report:
 After a good win against Munxar we all hoped that we could reach the final of this cup. It was not to be. SK Victoria Wanderers showed superiority in the final stages of the match. However, the result does not give a true picture of the game.

The Wanderers opened the score in the 6th minute through a innocuous clearance from the halfway line by Daniel Muscat. Kenny rushed out to pick the ball. Unfortunately it took a strange bounce off the uneven pitch and as he backtracked to amend his erroneous outing, he tripped allowing the ball into the empty net.

After taking a few minutes to regain faith in their ability as a team, our lads produced a good reaction and managed to level the score in the 17th minute through Alex Sacco. Ishaku made a run down the right and played it back to Francesco who crossed it and found Alex. With a great control, he dribbled the incoming defender and place a curling shoot in the right top corner of SK's goal. Keeper Mercieca stood no chance. We shared the spoils for just 9 minutes as the Wanderers regained the lead in the 26th minute through Ige Adesina following a cross by Simon Gatt.

For the first half hour of the second period the game was balanced with few scoring opportunities on both sides. It looked like we could snatch an equalizer and take the game to extra time. But a sudden drop in energy levels of most of our players made it easy for our opponents to seal their victory. On the 77th minute, Vella ran to a through pass by Sciortino. Our defence called for an offside position but the officials made the correct decision and played on. Vella dribbled the keeper and ran with the ball into an empty net. With our players downhearted, Adesina made it 4-1 with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Despite the score, our collective play has improved from last game. New signings Umoru and Orlando are gelling well into the team. The return of Marvin Grech added quality to our midfield. While still missing first team players Daniel Borg, George Frank Mizzi and Kevin Grech we gave SK, who are the firm favourites for promotion, a stiff oppostion. With match fitness still not at its highest level, things can only get better. We look forward for next week's first league game against Munxar Falcons.

Match photos (courtesy of Mr Philip Cassar):







  
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