League Play-Off

Tigieg Arena
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) An unexpectedly hard shot by Alessio Sladden in the 4th minute of play forced Portuguesa Maltesa's goalkeeper Steve Grech Cumbo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 9 minutes, Ryan Laus managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Portuguesa Maltesa's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ryan Laus was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 12th minute of the match Carl Mamo shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Mike Sant Fournier showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Mike Sant Fournier stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Jake Drago's shot from short distance in the 14th minute. After a defensive mix-up in Tiġieġ FC's zone, Ryan Laus stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Mike Sant Fournier came out of the goal and Ryan Laus tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Steve Grech Cumbo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Matteo Pullicino Orlando in the 23rd minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alessio Sladden in the 24th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Steve Grech Cumbo prevented the ball from getting in the gole. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alessio Sladden in the 27th minute of play forced Portuguesa Maltesa's goalkeeper Steve Grech Cumbo to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Joshua Preca fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 29th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mike Sant Fournier having to interfere. Joshua Preca charged in rather forcefully in the 30th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Joshua Preca the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Portuguesa Maltesa getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Joshua Preca hit a great ball. Matteo Pullicino Orlando could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 34th minute of the match, but Steve Grech Cumbo made a huge save. Ryan Laus sent away a hard shot on goal in the 36th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joshua Preca in the 38th minute of play forced Tiġieġ FC's goalkeeper Mike Sant Fournier to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Portuguesa Maltesa getting a freekick after 40 minutes play. Brandon Tedesco hit a great ball. In the 43rd minute, Brandon Tedesco hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 46 minutes into the match, Tiġieġ FC's Matteo Pullicino Orlando sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Steve Grech Cumbo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Mike Sant Fournier showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ryan Laus, who was totally free with the ball in the 48th minute. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Ryan Laus stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Mike Sant Fournier took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ryan Laus, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 57th match minute, Portuguesa Maltesa was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brandon Tedesco to maneuver through the defense. After 58 played minutes Tiġieġ FC got a freekick which was hit by Brian Terribile. In the 61st minute, Sean Cauchi 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. In the 62nd match minute, Portuguesa Maltesa was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adrian Cioffi to maneuver through the defense. In the 68th minute, Matteo Pullicino Orlando made a precise shot to the right of Steve Grech Cumbo. Portuguesa Maltesa's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. 71 minutes into the match, Tiġieġ FC's goalkeeper Mike Sant Fournier had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jake Drago. In the 72nd minute, Alessio Sladden ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Steve Grech Cumbo was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-0. Steve Grech Cumbo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sean Cauchi in the 76th minute of play. Steve Grech Cumbo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alessio Sladden in the 80th minute of play. Joshua Preca recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 81st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Steve Grech Cumbo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Matteo Pullicino Orlando in the 86th minute of the match. Tiġieġ FC were awarded a corner in the 88th minute after Portuguesa Maltesa's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Brian Terribile took the corner. 89 minutes into the match, Carlo Esposito dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Mike Sant Fournier, 3-1. Tiġieġ FC's Mike Sant Fournier played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joshua Preca in the 92nd minute of play. In the 95th minute Alessio Sladden shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Steve Grech Cumbo saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. For all the effort they put into the match, the Portuguesa Maltesa players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Tiġieġ FC.