Friendly League

Sliema Playground
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) LAUTARO FC's Danilo Espiridion started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Jean Paul Nappa had several of the LAUTARO FC's defenders around him in the penalty area when he, after 6 minutes of play, received a pass and succeeded in some way to shoot a shot which went straight ahead into goal. This resulted in a 1-0 score and a disappointed Joaquin Iturri as he didn't even see the shot coming. If Julian Sapiano had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 10th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 12 minutes into the game, LAUTARO FC's Danilo Espiridion nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Joseph Sladden made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Jean Paul Nappa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 17th minute. Joaquin Iturri tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 22 played minutes Sliema Youngsters got a freekick which was hit by Ismael Facciol. In the 27th minute, Ismael Facciol hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A hard shot 31 in the game by Julian Sapiano from a close distance when the talented Joaquin Iturri managed to make a qualified save. LAUTARO FC's players were relieved. Joseph Sladden made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Martin Omero in the 33rd minute of play. Joseph Sladden stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Martin Omero's shot from short distance in the 35th minute. In the 37th minute, Kurt Falzon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sliema Youngsters's Joseph Sladden played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Martin Omero in the 43rd minute of play. Ismael Facciol hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. In the 46th minute, Leo Beltza sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Sliema Youngsters's Joseph Sladden didn't even have to move. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Jean Paul Nappa to strike the kick off in the second half. Joseph Sladden took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Danilo Espiridion, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Joaquin Iturri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jean Paul Nappa in the 55th minute of play. In the 69th match minute, Sliema Youngsters was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kurt Falzon to maneuver through the defense. Leo Beltza was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 70th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Danilo Espiridion blasted a shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Joseph Sladden having to make a save. LAUTARO FC's Martin Omero came free and shot a quick shot against goal 73 minutes in the game, fortunately Joseph Sladden had problems saving as it came toward the left post. In the 74th minute, Kurt Falzon hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Joseph Sladden didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Danilo Espiridion went, in the 77th minute, to the upper right corner, 1-3 was the resulting score. After a defensive mix-up in Sliema Youngsters's zone, Danilo Espiridion stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Joseph Sladden came out of the goal and Danilo Espiridion tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Joseph Sladden showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Danilo Espiridion in the 92nd minute of the match. Sliema Youngsters's Joseph Sladden played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Danilo Espiridion in the 95th minute of play. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. LAUTARO FC walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.