U21 League

The Den
Spectators: 163 (Terracing: 123, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) Ian Manchè showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arrigo Di Crescenzo in the 2nd minute of the match. Alberto Giorda didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 5th minute, which inside left pole to 1-0. Ian Manchè stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Emilio Conti's shot from short distance in the 9th minute. In the 10th minute, Andrew Cuschieri had to leave the field with a concussion. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Elia Cirelli during the 10th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Elia Cirelli kicked well hit freekick during the 11th minute of the match. Ian Manchè stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Emilio Conti's shot from short distance in the 16th minute. In the 16th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alexander Longo to maneuver through the defense. Emilio Conti struck a weak shot in the 20th minute. Ian Manchè didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Merceron United. When Merceron United's Emilio Conti 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 Floriana Celtics's goalie prevented a goal. 27 minutes had been played when some careless play by Floriana Celtics's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Alfredo Monaco was slow to take the kick. During this time Merceron United's players had a chance to rest. After 29 played minutes Merceron United got a freekick which was hit by Alfredo Monaco. Austin Gatt took the ball and in the 32 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Alberto Giorda. Alberto Giorda dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. In a very dangerous position, a player in Floriana Celtics fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 42nd minute. Penalty! In the 44th minute there was a penalty for Merceron United. Alfredo Monaco stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Ian Manchè. 2-1. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gregory Boffa stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. A collision led to Merceron United getting a freekick after 50 minutes play. Cristoforo Iacomini hit a great ball. In the 52nd match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Elia Cirelli to maneuver through the defense. After 53 minutes, Anthony Bigeni mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Floriana Celtics and the Merceron United players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Floriana Celtics's Anthony Bigeni got a free kick in the 53rd minute. When Elia Cirelli was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 56 minutes had been played. In the 57th minute, Elia Cirelli hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Floriana Celtics made a substitution. Clayton Manduca replaced Austin Gatt. A collision led to Merceron United getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Elia Cirelli hit a great ball. Gregory Boffa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Merceron United getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Emilio Conti hit a great ball. Arrigo Di Crescenzo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ian Manchè having to interfere. In the 68thth minute of the game Gregory Boffa who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Merceron United's Alberto Giorda was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Arrigo Di Crescenzo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Merceron United's Frank Pizzi got a free kick in the 71st minute. 74 minutes into the match, Merceron United's goal looked a bit too open when Gregory Boffa came free, but Alberto Giorda reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 75th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Emilio Conti to maneuver through the defense. Emilio Conti sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. In the 80th match minute, Merceron United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Arrigo Di Crescenzo to maneuver through the defense. Arrigo Di Crescenzo kicked well hit freekick during the 81st minute of the match. When Gregory Boffa fell near the penalty area in the 82nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Floriana Celtics's protests and gave Gregory Boffa a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Merceron United booed when Floriana Celtics was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gregory Boffa didn't get a good kick on the ball. With an all-out effort, Merceron United's Ian Manchè threw himself towards the right post 83 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Arrigo Di Crescenzo, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. When the match had gone on for 86 minutes, Arrigo Di Crescenzo put it in 2-2 from a short distance just to the right of Ian Manchè. Malcolm Hili sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.