DERBY ENDS ALL SQUARE

VICTORIA HOTSPURS FC ...

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

SK VICTORIA WANDERERS ...

A. Parnis, S. Gatt, J. Attard, R. Williams, M. Buttigieg, C. Sciortino, J. Vella, I. Adesina, A. Adesina, M. Cordina (L. Dimech), J. Refalo.

  Leaders and contenders for the title Victoria Hotspurs recovered from a series of negative results and obtained a point from a goalless draw in the derby match against SK Victoria Wanderers.  The point obtained by the Hotspurs re-launches them in the quest for the title.  However, the performance of the team was not totally satisfactory especially when considering that they played for more than an hour with an extra player on the field and they rarely created open scoring opportunities.  For this match the Hotspurs had Alex Tramboo missing due to suspension while Uchenna Anyanwu was among the starting line in replacement of the Czech striker Martin Hanus.  If the Hotspurs needed the full points at stake to consolidate leadership the Wanderers needed badly the full points in their tussle to get out of the red zone.  The point obtained by the Wanderers was deserved not only because they played most of the match with a player less on the field but also because they created better scoring opportunities than their opponents.  However, the final score was just and with this draw the two sides remain in contention to achieve the respective targets.

  The Hotspurs came out more aggressive.  In the 4th minute Uchenna Anyanwu was stopped in time by defender Simon Gatt and one minute later the same Anyanwu had an angled shot blocked by Chris Sciortino.  The Wanderers replied on 12 minutes through a direct free kick by Chris Sciortino that missed the target.  Six minutes later a direct corner kick by Joseph Vella fell on the crossbar.  The Wanderers were again dangerous on 23 minutes when Ige Adesina unmarked Ajibade Adesina but the latter lobbed wide with an open goal at his mercy.  Two minutes later it was Manwel Cordina who headed wide an inviting cross by Ige Adesina.  The Wanderers suffered a setback on 26 minutes when they were reduced to ten players as the referee sent Simon Gatt for an early shower for a foul on John Paul Grima.  However, the Wanderers still managed to be more dangerous than their opponents.  On 38 minutes Ige Adesina failed to connect to a free kick by Joseph Vella.  Two minutes later the same Vella had a direct free kick well saved by goalie Mark Grima.  The Hotspurs were unlucky in the first minute of stoppage time before the break when a strike by John Paul Grima from a pass by Anyanwu hit the post.  One minute later it was goalie Adrian Parnis who was called to make a difficult save following an attempt by Daniel Farrugia.

  After the break the Hotspurs continued to find it difficult to take advantage of the extra player on the field.  On 49 minute Ige Adesina arrived late to an inviting cross by Joseph Vella and goalie Mark Grima managed to neutralize the danger.  From the resultant action, the Wanderers were awarded an indirect free kick in their opponent’s area.  However, Chris Sciortino’s strike ended inches wide.  The Hotspurs replied on 53 minutes through a direct corner kick by Ryan Grech that was cleared off the line by Joseph Vella.  Two minutes later Oliver Farrugia headed wide a cross by Daniel Farrugia.  The Hotspurs grew in confidence and produced some pressure on their opponent’s rearguard but without creating serious danger.  On 71 minutes Uchenna Anyanwu entered the area following a solo action but concluded wide from a good position.  The same Anyanwu failed to connect seven minutes later to a cross by Daniel Farrugia.  The Wanderers had a good scoring opportunity on 79 minutes when Ige Adesina unmarked substitute Lauran Dimech but the latter concluded incredibly wide from an ideal position.  Two minutes later the same Dimech entered the Hotspurs territory in a fast break but was erratic in his finishing.  Six minutes from time the Wanderers were al most punished for the missed chance but substitute Ruben Merceica concluded wide from close distance a cross by Anyanwu.  One minute from time goalie Adrian Parnis saved the point for the Wanderers and denied the Hotspurs from winning the encounter with an excellent intervention following an angled shot by Uchenna Anyanwu.