League

Luqa Pitch
Spectators: 8273 (Terracing: 6328, Seating: 1940, VIP seats: 5) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Ian Trigona took the kick off in the first half of the match. After a rather tough play, Luqa's Sean Frendo got a free kick in the 3rd minute. In the 4th minute of the match Jake Cardona shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Ismael Chircop showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Raħal Ġdid's Raphael Ellul Bonici proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 7th minute of the match, managed to save Raħal Ġdid from getting a goal against them. Ian Trigona received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Ismael Chircop tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 20 minutes into the game, Ian Trigona cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Ismael Chircop was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. After a defensive mix-up in Luqa's zone, Mike Spiteri stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ismael Chircop came out of the goal and Mike Spiteri tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Raħal Ġdid's Ian Trigona in the 25th minute got a chance for a shot 25th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Luqa's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 30 minutes, Ian Trigona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Raħal Ġdid's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ian Trigona was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mike Spiteri might have been able to make a better finish in the 31st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Ismael Chircop. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Mike Spiteri ran back to his position shaking his head. In a very dangerous position, a player in Luqa fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 37th minute. Penalty! Mike Spiteri received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 43rd minute. Ismael Chircop tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ismael Chircop didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Ian Trigona went, in the 45th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-3 was the resulting score. In the 48th minute, Mike Spiteri 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. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-3 lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Mark Cefai to strike the kick off in the second half. 60 minutes into the match, Luqa's goal looked a bit too open when Ian Trigona came free, but Ismael Chircop reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 61 played minutes Ian Trigona rounded Luqa's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 0-4. After having played for 67 minutes, Ian Trigona managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Raħal Ġdid's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ian Trigona was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 71 minutes had been played when some careless play by Luqa's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Jake Cardona was slow to take the kick. During this time Raħal Ġdid's players had a chance to rest. Massimo Sultana tried in the game's 71st match minute to clear up in front of his own goal but it went so bad that he put the ball into the goal to the left of an unhappy Ismael Chircop. An annoying self made goal, 0-5. Ismael Chircop was a little too slow when Ian Trigona got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 79th minute. The score was now 0-6. After a defensive mix-up in Luqa's zone, Ian Trigona stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ismael Chircop came out of the goal and Ian Trigona tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Luqa getting a freekick after 86 minutes play. Sean Frendo hit a great ball. 93 minutes into the match, Luqa's goal looked a bit too open when Ian Trigona came free, but Ismael Chircop reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 96 minutes into the match, Luqa's goal looked a bit too open when Ian Trigona came free, but Ismael Chircop reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mike Spiteri sent away a hard shot on goal in the 97th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Luqa fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Raħal Ġdid were clearly better and deserved to take the win.