League

Buġibba
Spectators: 10809 (Terracing: 8108, Seating: 2486, VIP seats: 215) Nikolai Gerada recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 5th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Martin Demanuele sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Buġibba Youngsters's Francesco Ciantar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Julian Sultana in the 14th minute of play. A collision led to Valetta Pirates FC getting a freekick after 18 minutes play. Leo Friggieri hit a great ball. 29 minutes had been played when some careless play by Valetta Pirates FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Samuel Montebello was slow to take the kick. During this time Buġibba Youngsters's players had a chance to rest. Samuel Montebello made a great header on Buġibba Youngsters's corner, it was just that Valetta Pirates FC's Sebastian Sapiano managed to reach the ball for a save. With a little luck, Valetta Pirates FC's Sebastian Sapiano got control of the ball when Martin Demanuele tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 39th minute Shawn Seracino Inglott shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Francesco Ciantar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 40 minutes into the game, Clint Bajada was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Buġibba Youngsters's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Valetta Pirates FC the free kick. After 40 played minutes Buġibba Youngsters got a freekick which was hit by Clint Bajada. In the 41st minute, Julian Sultana 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. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Julian Sultana in the 44th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Francesco Ciantar saved Buġibba Youngsters from getting behind. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

The wind increased when Julian Sultana made the kick off in the second half. Julian Sultana's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Francesco Ciantar read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 51st minute of play. In the 52nd minute Valetta Pirates FC were awarded a corner. Shawn Seracino Inglott went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led Valetta Pirates FC's Shawn Seracino Inglott to fire away a dangerous shot which Francesco Ciantar despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Francesco Ciantar made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Julian Sultana in the 54th minute of play. In the 56th match minute, Buġibba Youngsters was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Martin Demanuele to maneuver through the defense. 60 minutes into the match, Valetta Pirates FC's Shawn Seracino Inglott sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Francesco Ciantar narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Buġibba Youngsters's Ivan Chircop was substituted for Martin Demanuele. 70 minutes had been played when some careless play by Valetta Pirates FC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Samuel Montebello was slow to take the kick. During this time Buġibba Youngsters's players had a chance to rest. A nice corner shot did that Samuel Montebello got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Sebastian Sapiano quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. After 71 played minutes Valetta Pirates FC got a freekick which was hit by Justin Montanaro. The audience thought a goal was coming when Emanuel Fiteni got free with Francesco Ciantar in the 72nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 75th minute Joseph De Fremeaux shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Sebastian Sapiano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 78 minutes into the match, Nikolai Gerada notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of Valetta Pirates FC's Sebastian Sapiano. Sebastian Sapiano was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nikolai Gerada in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Sebastian Sapiano prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Clint Bajada sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Buġibba Youngsters had played much better football throughout.