Official Cup

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 188 (Terracing: 142, Seating: 43, VIP seats: 3) After a rather tough play, São Francisco FC86's Frederico Esteves got a free kick in the 2nd minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Clint Bezzina in the 4th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Rafael Esteves prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Clint Bezzina got free with Rafael Esteves in the 9th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. If Clint Bezzina had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The crowd rose to their feet as Ian Depasquale kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Rafael Esteves. That made the score 1-0 in the 17 minute of play. If Clint Bezzina had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 20th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 24 minutes into the game, Kyle Axisa was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sliema Dragons FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave São Francisco FC86 the free kick. In the 24th minute, Kyle Axisa hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 25 played minutes, São Francisco FC86's Fábio Moutinho shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Brandon Ellul came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in São Francisco FC86 reached it. After a rather tough play, Sliema Dragons FC's Stephen Sacco got a free kick in the 26th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fábio Moutinho in the 29th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Brandon Ellul to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Nick Abdilla fell near the penalty area in the 30th 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. Nick Abdilla hit a great freekick 30 minutes into the match. When Manuel Valente fell near the penalty area in the 33rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored São Francisco FC86's protests and gave Manuel Valente a yellow card for diving instead. Manuel Valente kicked well hit freekick during the 33rd minute of the match. 36 minutes into the game, Clint Bezzina cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-0. Rafael Esteves was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Zarco Madureira charged in rather forcefully in the 44th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Zarco Madureira the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Zarco Madureira hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. Thanks to some nice moves Clint Bezzina could shoot a difficult shot in the 45th minute, which Rafael Esteves however easily saved by the left post. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Fábio Moutinho to make the kick off. In the 54thth minute of the game Ian Depasquale who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but São Francisco FC86's Rafael Esteves was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. João Monteiro hit a great freekick 55 minutes into the match. 56 minutes into the match, Clint Bezzina had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rafael Esteves. São Francisco FC86's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Clint Bezzina was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. Manuel Valente 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. In the 67th minute Frederick Gatt shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Rafael Esteves saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rafael Esteves stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Ian Depasquale's shot from short distance in the 74th minute. Fábio Moutinhos short, quick shot in the 76thth minute got Brandon Ellul to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Brandon Ellul made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fábio Moutinho in the 78th minute of play. Sliema Dragons FC's Clint Bezzina got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Rafael Esteves took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Clint Bezzina, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 85th minute, Clint Bezzina 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. 87 minutes into the match, São Francisco FC86's goal looked a bit too open when Ian Depasquale came free, but Rafael Esteves reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in São Francisco FC86's zone, Clint Bezzina stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rafael Esteves came out of the goal and Clint Bezzina tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The supporters of São Francisco FC86 booed when Sliema Dragons FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 89 match minutes in a wonderful position. Kyle Axisa didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Pedro Moutinho during the 90th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Ian Depasquale struck a weak shot in the 94th minute. Rafael Esteves 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. There was no doubt that Sliema Dragons FC were the better team. Sliema Dragons FC's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.