League

Astra Arena
Spectators: 8680 (Terracing: 6500, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 180) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Peter Paul Preca got the match started through his kick off. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Robert Pullicino in the 3rd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Frederick Hili prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Banter FC's Frederick Hili played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sean Haber in the 6th minute of play. Robert Pullicino's late challenge caught a Banter FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Robert Pullicino helped the player get up and apologised. In the 11th minute, Robert Pullicino hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Ryan Xiberras didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Peter Paul Testa went, in the 12th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. 19 minutes into the match, Peter Paul Testa notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Ad Astra's Ryan Xiberras. Ryan Xiberras was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. In the 31st minute Peter Paul Preca shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ryan Xiberras saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Ryan Xiberras made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Peter Paul Preca in the 33rd minute of play. In the 36th minute, Ad Astra's Sean Haber ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Frederick Hili. Frederick Hili yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-3. 44 minutes into the game, Gregory Scriha was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ad Astra's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Banter FC the free kick. In the 43rd minute, one of Ad Astra: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 Ad Astra. Evan Borda kicked well hit freekick during the 47th minute of the match. After the first half Banter FC were leading 1-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Sean Haber fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Frederick Hili having to interfere. 69 minutes into the game, Antoine Carbonaro threw the ball into play from the sideline. Ad Astra's Robert Pullicino quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Frederick Hili showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sean Haber, who was totally free with the ball in the 76th minute. After 79 minutes of play, Ad Astra's Sean Haber made it 3-4 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Frederick Hili was left in no man's land by his defense there! Sean Haber's late challenge caught a Banter FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Sean Haber helped the player get up and apologised. Peter Paul Testa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ryan Xiberras having to interfere. Frederick Hili showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Antoine Muscat in the 87th minute of the match. In the 89th minute, Roderick Scalpello hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After recieving a nice pass, Banter FC's Peter Paul Preca tried to score from far away in the 90th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. When the match had gone on for 92 minutes, Peter Paul Testa took a quick shot and it went in 3-5 without a chance for Ryan Xiberras to make any attempt to save it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Peter Paul Asciak in the 97th minute of play forced Ad Astra's goalkeeper Ryan Xiberras to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Banter FC had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.