League

Luqa Pitch
Spectators: 8301 (Terracing: 6350, Seating: 1946, VIP seats: 5) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Shaun Briffa made the kick off which started today's match. Ismael Chircop took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Arthur Herrera, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Luqa's Sean Frendo got a free kick in the 7th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Shaun Briffa in the 9th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ismael Chircop prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Keith Scerri managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ta Paola's supporters rose to their feet, but Keith Scerri was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ismael Chircop breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Luqa's Ismael Chircop played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arthur Herrera in the 14th minute of play. After 15 played minutes Ta Paola got a freekick which was hit by Domenic Drago. Keith Saliba showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Massimo Sultana in the 16th minute of the match. Shaun Briffa took the ball and in the 17 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Ismael Chircop. Ismael Chircop dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Ta Paola's Oliver Cardona got a good chance for a goal in the 21st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Ismael Chircop made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Arthur Herrera in the 22nd minute of play. After having played for 24 minutes, Shaun Briffa managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ta Paola's supporters crossed their fingers, but Shaun Briffa was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Shaun Briffa blasted a shot towards the goal in the 25th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Ismael Chircop having to make a save. In the 28thth minute of the game Keith Scerri who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Luqa's Ismael Chircop was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With a little luck, Ta Paola's Keith Saliba got control of the ball when Sean Frendo tried to sneak it across the goal line. Oliver Cardona struck a weak shot in the 30th minute. Ismael Chircop didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ta Paola. Shaun Briffa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Keith Scerri received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 34th minute. Ismael Chircop tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience was convinced that Shaun Briffa's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Ismael Chircop was relentless in the 36th minute of the game. When Ta Paola's Keith Scerri in the 38th minute got a chance for a shot 38th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Luqa's goalie prevented a goal. If Arthur Herrera had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ismael Chircop showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Keith Scerri in the 43rd minute of the match. Ismael Chircop didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Arthur Herrera went, in the 45th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-2 was the resulting score. The Luqa players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Ta Paola were winning 0-2.

The supporters of Luqa booed when Ta Paola was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 51 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nathan Mahoney didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 54th match minute, Ta Paola was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Keith Scerri to maneuver through the defense. Ismael Chircop made an important save on a dangerous shot by Keith Scerri in the 58th minute. Arthur Herrera fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 61st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ismael Chircop having to interfere. Keith Scerri fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 68th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ismael Chircop having to interfere. Shaun Briffa received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 70th minute. Ismael Chircop tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Keith Scerri could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 79th minute of the match, but Ismael Chircop made a huge save. Arthur Herrera sent away a hard shot on goal in the 81st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 83 played minutes Luqa got a freekick which was hit by David Mercieca. Domenic Drago received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Ismael Chircop tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With his leg Ismael Chircop managed to avoid a goal in the 91stth minute, when Ta Paola's Keith Scerri fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. In the 95th minute, Luqa's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Shaun Briffa fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Keith Scerri's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ismael Chircop read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 95th minute of play. When the match was over Ta Paola could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Luqa throughout the match.