U23 League

Baobab Stadium
Spectators: 162 (Terracing: 122, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) 3 minutes into the game, Neil Deguara threw the ball into play from the sideline. Old BaoBaB Accademy's Camillo Petrocchi quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Dino Losito made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Martin Mangion in the 5th minute of play. Daniele Rugani hit a great freekick 13 minutes into the match. 18 minutes in the game, Carlo Donati fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Marcelo Severiano having to interfere. Claudio Lenci could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 23rd minute of the match, but Marcelo Severiano made a huge save. The crowd rose to their feet as Old BaoBaB Accademy's Carlo Donati slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Marcelo Severiano. That made the score 1-0 after 31 minutes of play. Dino Losito took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Martin Mangion, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After having played for 43 minutes, Carlo Donati managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Old BaoBaB Accademy's supporters crossed their fingers, but Carlo Donati was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 48 minutes into the game, Martin Mangion cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Dino Losito was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Martin Mangion stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Sliema Dragons FC's Marcelo Severiano played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Carlo Donati in the 56th minute of play. Carlo Donati hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. Old BaoBaB Accademy's Dino Losito proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 59th minute of the match, managed to save Old BaoBaB Accademy from getting a goal against them. In the 61st minute, Sliema Dragons FC's Leon Desira seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Leon Desira the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Sliema Dragons FC protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Leon Desira had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. In the 61st minute, one of Sliema Dragons FC:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Sliema Dragons FC. The referee gave Old BaoBaB Accademy a penalty, 63 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Arrigo Tesone, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Sliema Dragons FC's Marcelo Severiano. 2-1. Claudio Lenci recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 66th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After some careless play in the Sliema Dragons FC defense, Claudio Lenci kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marcelo Severiano. The Sliema Dragons FC fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marcelo Severiano should have stopped the shot. Arrigo Tesone kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. When Neil Deguara fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Dragons FC's protests and gave Neil Deguara a yellow card for diving instead. In the 75th match minute, Sliema Dragons FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Neil Deguara to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Carlo Donati in the 76th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Marcelo Severiano to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 77th minute of the match Old BaoBaB Accademy got a corner. Sliema Dragons FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Arrigo Tesone ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner ended in Andrea Porta almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Sliema Dragons FC's Marcelo Severiano did a great save. In the 78th minute, Ryan Grima hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 80th minute Camillo Petrocchi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcelo Severiano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 92 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goal looked a bit too open when Carlo Donati came free, but Marcelo Severiano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Old BaoBaB Accademy were awarded a corner in the 94th minute after Sliema Dragons FC's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Arrigo Tesone took the corner. After 94 played minutes Old BaoBaB Accademy got a freekick which was hit by Claudio Lenci. Marcelo Severiano took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Claudio Lenci, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Old BaoBaB Accademy's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.