Under 19 Youth League Section B

Qormi FC   0 - 3   Lija Athletic FC   [Ht: 0 - 2]

Date: 08-Oct-2006 ~ Venue: Sirens Ground ~ Kick-Off: 11.00hrs.

Although the score suggests a relatively easy victory in favour of Lija, the red-shirted players did not at all have an easy ride against Qormi FC. This was the third victory on the trot for the Athletic which helped them consolidate the second spot in the league standings. Back to the match where the Yellows of Qormi, who were in a classy pink outfit today, had a tremendous start into the match. Just a few seconds from kick-off, their captain rattled the cross-bar from a free-kick that was awarded a few metres outside the Lija area. Qormi continued to be the better team inside the opening fifteen minutes but little by little, Lija were coming more into the picture. Surprisingly and against the run of play, the Reds forged ahead on 22 minutes following a free-kick, which Steve Ferriggi headed inside the net past a hesitant Ramiro Spiteri, the Qormi goalie, following a mêlée inside the box. Qormi's reaction to this goal was rather feeble as Lija now seemed to have taken command of the proceedings. On the half hour mark, Daniel Cremona made a clear run, only for his shot on goal to be punched away by the keeper - from the rebound, Hubert Friggieri saw his effort being tipped away for a corner. In the 36th minute, following a beautiful cross, Cremona was once again unlucky when his shot was blocked by the keeper and Keith Farrugia shot high from the rebound. Three minutes before the interval, Keith Farrugia's volley once again sailed high over the cross-bar following a free-kick. Qormi were now forced to defend in their own area, but the defence could not help conceding a second goal on the stroke of half-time. Keith Farrugia provided Daniel Cremona with a glorious through-ball. The latter nipped forward and beat the offside trap before tapping the ball home from close-in.

[ Half-time: 0-2 ]

The Qormi lads had a good start to the second period, and were close to reducing the arrears on numerous occasions. In the 48 minute, Kevin Ellul, the Lija goal-keeper did well to save in two attempts a long range volley. Three minutes later, Qormi were once again denied by the woodwork, when they hit the upright following a direct free-kick. Some time later, the Qormi coach was given marching orders by the referee following some persistent unkind remarks. The Reds defended superbly their two goal cushion and occasionally had good runs on the flanks. The Athletic had the match under their absolute control, and operated through dangerous, quick counter-attacks. A case in point was when Mark Cremona passed a glorious cross to the unmarked Ivan Scicluna, who in turn missed a sitter when shooting high from an ideal position. This happened on 72 minutes and four minutes later, Lija were close again to adding a third goal. Ivan Scicluna had a good run and ably dribbled the ball past two Qormi defenders, before Spiteri, the Qormi keeper dived into the striker's feet and another chance was lost. Four minutes from time, the Reds, who were now playing excellent football and looked to be in a class of their own, had another good chance when Mark Cremona passed a good ball, nevertheless the Qormi custodian managed to intercept the cross-shot before any Lija forward could wreak more havoc. Nevertheless, Lija did relief their worries from a possible come-back by their opponents when rounding off the score with a third goal in the dying minutes of the match. Mid-fielder, Bryan Deguara crossed a glorious through-ball to the Lija captain, Daniel Cremona, who in turn blasted a low shot into the corner of the net past the goal-keeper. Today, the Lija Athletic youths surely had one of their best performances so far this season. This match, played in front of a sizeable crowd of spectators at the Sirens Ground in St. Paul's Bay, was also highly enjoyable to watch and assist for.

[ Full-time: 0-3 ]

Lija Athletic player of the Match: Daniel Cremona.

  << Team Formation >>

<< Kevin Ellul -- Josef Laferla (Carmel Muscat) -- Hubert Friggieri -- Daniel Cremona -- Steve Ferriggi -- Mark Cremona -- Karl Saliba (Ivan Scicluna) -- Keith Farrugia (Daniel Gauci) -- Andrè Scicluna -- Christian Agius -- Bryan Deguara >>

Report by Samuel M. Cutajar ©  

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