U18 League

Stade Normandie
Spectators: 175 (Terracing: 132, Seating: 40, VIP seats: 3) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Guillaume Barillot took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 6th minute Guillaume Barillot shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brandon Ellul saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 7th minute of the match Saint Côme de Fresné got a corner. Sliema Dragons FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Côme Durieu ran over to the corner to take the kick. After 8 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Frederick Gatt. Noël Clenet took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Patrick Buttigieg, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Guillaume Barillot fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brandon Ellul having to interfere. A hard shot 24 in the game by Guillaume Barillot from a close distance when the talented Brandon Ellul managed to make a qualified save. Sliema Dragons FC's players were relieved. Jean Paul Caruana struck a weak shot in the 28th minute. Noël Clenet didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Sliema Dragons FC. In the 32nd minute, Nick Abdilla hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Brandon Ellul acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 33rd minute, took the ball on the long shot from Côme Durieu. After a rather tough play, Sliema Dragons FC's Mark Polidano got a free kick in the 33rd minute. Guillaume Barillot might have been able to make a better finish in the 36th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Brandon Ellul. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Guillaume Barillot ran back to his position shaking his head. Yazid Debuire could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Brandon Ellul made a huge save. When Nick Abdilla fell near the penalty area in the 39th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Sliema Dragons FC's protests and gave Nick Abdilla a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Saint Côme de Fresné booed when Sliema Dragons FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 39 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nick Abdilla didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Sliema Dragons FC's Philip Griffin got a free kick in the 40th minute. Guillaume Barillot sent away a hard shot on goal in the 41st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Patrick Buttigieg could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 53rd minute of the match, but Noël Clenet made a huge save. Frederick Gatt was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 61st minute. Sliema Dragons FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Patrick Buttigieg recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 64th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Jean Paul Caruana received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Noël Clenet tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Robert Pullicino hit a great freekick 72 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Yazid Debuire in the 78th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Brandon Ellul to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 78 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Nathaniel Baldacchino. Saint Côme de Fresné's Noël Clenet proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 83rd minute of the match, managed to save Saint Côme de Fresné from getting a goal against them. In the 91st minute, Patrick Buttigieg 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. After a rather tough play, Saint Côme de Fresné's Gérard Chambard got a free kick in the 92nd minute. 93 minutes into the match, Saint Côme de Fresné's goal looked a bit too open when Patrick Buttigieg came free, but Noël Clenet reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Simon Mertz hit a great freekick 94 minutes into the match. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.