League

Ramla l-Ħamra Playgr
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Ben Lia started the match with the kick off. Evan Gafà received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 2nd minute. Tim Dimech tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 4thth minute of the game Evan Gafà who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Marsa FC's Tim Dimech was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When the match had gone on for 7 minutes, Evan Gafà put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Tim Dimech. Ben Lia scored 1-1 in the 10th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Keith Cumbo, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Keith Cumbo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bjorn Pace Bonello, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Tim Dimech showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Evan Gafà in the 19th minute of the match. Ben Lia struck a weak shot in the 20th minute. Keith Cumbo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Marsa FC. Keith Cumbo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jake Montebello in the 27th minute of the match. In the 28th minute the ball was on its way in behind Qala St. Joseph's goalkeeper Keith Cumbo, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Bjorn Pace Bonello received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 30th minute. Keith Cumbo tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Qala St. Joseph getting a freekick after 31 minutes play. Edward Vella hit a great ball. Godwin Axisa's late challenge caught a Marsa FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Godwin Axisa helped the player get up and apologised. Charlo Depasquale took the ball and in the 36 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Tim Dimech. Tim Dimech dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-2. Bjorn Pace Bonello kicked well hit freekick during the 40th minute of the match. In the 42nd match minute, Marsa FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Justin Micallef to maneuver through the defense. If Charlo Depasquale had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Charlo Depasquale blasted a shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Tim Dimech having to make a save. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Evan Gafà made a kick off. Ben Lia kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. A hard shot 57 in the game by Evan Gafà from a close distance when the talented Tim Dimech managed to make a qualified save. Marsa FC's players were relieved. Keith Cumbo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ben Lia in the 60th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Evan Gafà in the 61st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tim Dimech prevented the ball from getting in the gole. When Justin Micallef fell near the penalty area in the 72nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Marsa FC's protests and gave Justin Micallef a yellow card for diving instead. Justin Micallef kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Qala St. Joseph made a substitution. Mario Borg Xuereb replaced Evan Gafà. Qala St. Joseph's Francesco Bailey was substituted for Etienne Ghio. Justin Micallef kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. Keith Cumbo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bjorn Pace Bonello in the 76th minute of the match. When Alex Ghigo fell near the penalty area in the 80th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Qala St. Joseph's protests and gave Alex Ghigo a yellow card for diving instead. Tim Dimech stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Mario Borg Xuereb's shot from short distance in the 82nd minute. Marsa FC's Tim Dimech played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Mario Borg Xuereb in the 92nd minute of play. 93 minutes into the match, Mario Borg Xuereb notched a goal, 2-4, to the right of Marsa FC's Tim Dimech. Tim Dimech was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Qala St. Joseph had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.