League Play-Off

Lija
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Tommy Cassola made the kick off which started today's match. If Isaac Cutajar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 3rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Sliema Spurs getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. Malcolm Incorvaia hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Antoine Bugelli in the 7th minute of play forced Sliema Spurs's goalkeeper Christian Bugeja to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Sebastian Demicoli showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tommy Cassola, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. Miguel Mugliett's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Christian Bugeja read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 10th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Antoine Bugelli in the 16th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Christian Bugeja saved Sliema Spurs from getting behind. Malcolm Incorvaia kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Antoine Bugelli in the 22nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Christian Bugeja prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After 23 played minutes Sliema Spurs got a freekick which was hit by Malcolm Incorvaia. When Nigel Cini fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Spurs's protests and gave Nigel Cini a yellow card for diving instead. Nigel Cini hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 26th minute, Edward Bianco managed to get in a good position for a shot. Diamond Eyes's supporters rose to their feet, but Edward Bianco was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Christian Bugeja breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Sebastian Demicoli made a fantastic save in the 28th minute, when Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici sent off a good shot on target. After 35 minutes of play Sliema Spurs's Nigel Cini was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. Nigel Cini hit a great freekick 36 minutes into the match. 37 minutes into the game, Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sliema Spurs's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Diamond Eyes the free kick. In the 37th match minute, Sliema Spurs was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici to maneuver through the defense. Tommy Cassola kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. Sliema Spurs's Tommy Cassola got a good chance for a goal in the 47th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 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.

Tommy Cassola was shown his second yellow card after 52 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 54th minute the ball was on its way in behind Sliema Spurs's goalkeeper Christian Bugeja, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 56th minute of the match, Antoine Bugelli tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Christian Bugeja saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Sebastian Demicoli made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici in the 62nd minute of play. If Antoine Bugelli had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 70 minutes, Chris Borg Xuereb managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Diamond Eyes's supporters crossed their fingers, but Chris Borg Xuereb was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Lawrence Dalli fell near the penalty area in the 72nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Spurs's protests and gave Lawrence Dalli a yellow card for diving instead. Lawrence Dalli hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in Sliema Spurs's zone, Miguel Mugliett stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Christian Bugeja came out of the goal and Miguel Mugliett tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After a defensive mix-up in Diamond Eyes's zone, Lawrence Dalli stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sebastian Demicoli came out of the goal and Lawrence Dalli tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 78th minute, Chris Borg Xuereb got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Diamond Eyes's Sebastian Demicoli played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Malcolm Incorvaia in the 84th minute of play. In the 84th match minute, Diamond Eyes was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Miguel Mugliett to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Diamond Eyes's zone, Malcolm Incorvaia stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Sebastian Demicoli came out of the goal and Malcolm Incorvaia tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 90th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Malcolm Incorvaia in the 92nd minute of play forced Diamond Eyes's goalkeeper Sebastian Demicoli to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gilbert Testaferrata Bonici fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sebastian Demicoli having to interfere. Miguel Mugliett charged in rather forcefully in the 94th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Miguel Mugliett the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Diamond Eyes's Miguel Mugliett got a free kick in the 94th minute. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Diamond Eyes eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.