League

BAR-BA-RA STADIUM
Spectators: 8500 (Terracing: 6376, Seating: 1955, VIP seats: 169) HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Kenneth Borda started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Aidan Delia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alan Formosa in the 7th minute of play. When Matthew Gambin fell near the penalty area in the 7th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored HIBERNIANS F.C.'s protests and gave Matthew Gambin a yellow card for diving instead. In the 7th match minute, HIBERNIANS F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matthew Gambin to maneuver through the defense. Sliema Spurs's Alan Formosa got a good chance for a goal in the 8th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a rather tough play, HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Ian Xiberras got a free kick in the 9th minute. After 10 minutes of play, Sliema Spurs's Alan Stafrace made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Aidan Delia was left in no man's land by his defense there! If Alan Stafrace had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 16th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 17 minutes into the match, Alan Formosa notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aidan Delia. Aidan Delia was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Kenneth Borda in the 23rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Christian Bugeja saved Sliema Spurs from getting behind. In the 25th match minute, HIBERNIANS F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mark Cacciottolo to maneuver through the defense. Aidan Delia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Alan Stafrace's shot from short distance in the 29th minute. HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aidan Delia played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alan Formosa in the 31st minute of play. In the 31st match minute, HIBERNIANS F.C. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matthew Gambin to maneuver through the defense. Alan Stafrace blasted a shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Aidan Delia having to make a save. When the match clock showed 36 minutes, the score became 0-3 when Alan Stafrace sped through HIBERNIANS F.C.'s defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Aidan Delia. Aidan Delia showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alan Stafrace in the 47th minute of the match. After the first half Sliema Spurs were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The wind increased when Alan Formosa made the kick off in the second half. Tommy Cassola hit a great freekick 51 minutes into the match. Aidan Delia made an important save on a dangerous shot by Alan Stafrace in the 55th minute. Alan Stafrace recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Matthew Gambin hit a great freekick 58 minutes into the match. With a little luck, HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aidan Delia got control of the ball when Alan Stafrace tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 62nd minute, Matthew Gambin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a little luck, HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aidan Delia got control of the ball when Alan Stafrace tried to sneak it across the goal line. After a rather tough play, HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Jason Scicluna got a free kick in the 67th minute. Aidan Delia was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Alan Stafrace showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-4 in the 68 minute of play. Aidan Delia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Alan Formosa's shot from short distance in the 80th minute. In the 83rd minute, Lawrence Dalli hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After recieving a nice pass, HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aaron Preca tried to score from far away in the 84th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. After a defensive mix-up in Sliema Spurs's zone, Jonathan Xuereb stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Christian Bugeja came out of the goal and Jonathan Xuereb tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Alan Stafrace sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 92 minutes into the game, Alan Stafrace lined in a short shot 0-5 behind a frustrated Aidan Delia. After 97 minutes, Alan Stafrace made it 0-6 with a short kick to the right side. HIBERNIANS F.C.'s Aidan Delia tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Sliema Spurs played a much better game than HIBERNIANS F.C. and deserved their victory. The HIBERNIANS F.C. players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.