League

Ramla l-Ħamra Playgr
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling James Harmsworth in the 6th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tim Dimech prevented the ball from getting in the gole. A hard shot by Pierre Nappa from long distance, 7 minutes into the match, got Clayvon Gatt's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. 9 minutes into the match, Marsa FC's goal looked a bit too open when Nikolai Mercieca came free, but Tim Dimech reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ben Lia blasted a shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Clayvon Gatt having to make a save. Pierre Nappa hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. Marsa FC's Tim Dimech played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by James Harmsworth in the 21st minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by James Harmsworth in the 25th minute of play forced Marsa FC's goalkeeper Tim Dimech to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 27 minutes into the match, Marsa FC's goal looked a bit too open when Nikolai Mercieca came free, but Tim Dimech reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the match had gone on for 28 minutes, Owen Mifsud took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Clayvon Gatt to make any attempt to save it. Clayvon Gatt took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ben Lia, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 36 played minutes Għaxaq St Paul got a freekick which was hit by Luciano Polidano. Pierre Nappa struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Clayvon Gatt didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Marsa FC. James Harmsworth's late challenge caught a Marsa FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. James Harmsworth helped the player get up and apologised. In the 40th minute, James Harmsworth hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 42ndth minute of the game Nikolai Mercieca who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Marsa FC's Tim Dimech was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Pierre Nappa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Clayvon Gatt having to interfere. Ben Lia sent away a hard shot on goal in the 47th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Nikolai Mercieca stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. After a defensive mix-up in Għaxaq St Paul's zone, Jake Montebello stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Clayvon Gatt came out of the goal and Jake Montebello tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 57 minutes into the game, Ben Lia cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Clayvon Gatt was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Nikolai Mercieca in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Tim Dimech saved Marsa FC from getting behind. Clayvon Gatt showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pierre Nappa in the 62nd minute of the match. After having played for 64 minutes, Ben Lia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Marsa FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ben Lia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Tim Dimech made a fantastic save in the 66th minute, when James Harmsworth sent off a good shot on target. Pierre Nappa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. Clayvon Gatt tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Pierre Nappa hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. Pierre Nappa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 74th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Clayvon Gatt having to interfere. Pierre Nappa fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Clayvon Gatt having to interfere. If Nikolai Mercieca had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Pierre Nappa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Ben Lia had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. James Harmsworth might have been able to make a better finish in the 97th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tim Dimech. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. James Harmsworth ran back to his position shaking his head. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Marsa FC fully deserved thier win.