League

Lija
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Tommy Cassola got the match started through his kick off. In the 3rd minute, Keith Scerri made a precise shot to the right of Christian Bugeja. Sliema Spurs's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Keith Saliba showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Malcolm Incorvaia, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. Keith Saliba showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tommy Cassola in the 7th minute of the match. Christian Bugeja didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Arthur Herrera went, in the 9th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-2 was the resulting score. In the 23rd match minute, Ta Paola was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Oliver Cardona to maneuver through the defense. Anthony Alamango sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Arthur Herrera fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Christian Bugeja having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Oliver Cardona during the 27th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Ta Paola getting a freekick after 27 minutes play. Oliver Cardona hit a great ball. Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 28th minute of the match, but Keith Saliba made a huge save. Keith Saliba made an important save on a dangerous shot by Malcolm Incorvaia in the 29th minute. After 31 played minutes Sliema Spurs got a freekick which was hit by Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici. Keith Saliba stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Tommy Cassola's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-2 in the 35th playminute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Domenic Drago in the 39th minute of play forced Sliema Spurs's goalkeeper Christian Bugeja to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A hard shot 43 in the game by Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici from a close distance when the talented Keith Saliba managed to make a qualified save. Ta Paola's players were relieved. An unexpectedly hard shot by Malcolm Incorvaia in the 45th minute of play forced Ta Paola's goalkeeper Keith Saliba to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Sliema Spurs players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ta Paola were winning 1-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Shaun Briffa made a kick off. Shaun Briffa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Christian Bugeja tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Oliver Cardona kicked well hit freekick during the 54th minute of the match. Shaun Briffa could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 56th minute of the match, but Christian Bugeja made a huge save. Malcolm Incorvaia sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Christian Bugeja made an important save on a dangerous shot by Shaun Briffa in the 75th minute. In the 79th minute of the match Ta Paola got a corner. Sliema Spurs's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Shaun Briffa ran over to the corner to take the kick. Ta Paola's Shaun Briffa was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Christian Bugeja in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici struck a weak shot in the 81st minute. Keith Saliba didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sliema Spurs. After a rather tough play, Ta Paola's Oliver Cardona got a free kick in the 83rd minute. The Sliema Spurs supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Ta Paola's performance. The match ended with a win for Ta Paola.