This year's S.K.V.W. nursery Christmas party was held on Thursday, 30th December, and it surely was a party with a difference! It was held at FUNTOWN, in Downtown Hotel, Victoria. Almost all our nursery boys and girls, from the u/8 and u/11 boys and U/13 and U/9 girls teams, attended, and they had a great time.

The facilities at Funtown, especially the multi-storey soft play area, together with the staff, David and Joanna, made the occasion a memorable one for all those present. The kids had to choose their own food from a menu of pizza, pasta and nuggets, all being very popular with kids. A number of popular fun games, like "Hot Potato", "Musical Chairs" and "Statues", were also organised. The winners of each game was then presented a prize which consisted of a board game, thanks to Bargate Bookshop.

All kids enjoyed the party and went back home tired and with a big smile on their face! We would like to thank the main sponsors of this event, Funtown, for their hospitality and the great atmosphere for our Christmas party.

Photos of this event we be uploaded soon.

Last Monday 29th December, our female nursery participated in the annual Girls Christmas Tournament organised by the Malta Football Association at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, in the U/13 section. This was the second time our girls participated in a similar event.

Our team played against Birkirkara, Birzebbuga and Pembroke. Despite having some key players missing, our girls had a good tournament, managing to get a draw against Birzebbuga and a win against Pembroke.

We would like to congratulate our players for their effort and urge them to continue working hard in training to enjoy playing football and get better results in the future. Our next appointment is on Friday 2nd January at Xaghra, where our U/15s and U/11s will be playing against hosts Xaghra Utd, Qala SJ and Sannat L. GOOD LUCK BLUES!!!

Following the grave incidents that occurred during the match against Victoria Hotspurs played on the 28th of December at the Gozo Stadium it is with great regrets that the following statement has to be issued by S.K. Victoria Wanderers committee in order to clarify matters:


• Throughout these last years we have always tried to close an eye sometimes even both, not to answer back to the heavy provocations perpetrated many times by the same three or four individuals in the Hotspur’s clan. Yet we realised that these old habits increased to include but not only intimidation and racial abuse. The committee could not tolerate this any further and especially after the Under 21 match that was played by our team against Victoria Hotspurs FC at Xaghra Ground on the 20th of December 2008.

• During this match our Nigerian player was called names only because of his skin colour, and spitted at, while the same person who was a Hotspurs official and sitting on their bench entered the ground to attack our team captain. That person was reported to the Malta Football Association and the Gozo Football Association and was duly suspended for six months.

• Recently we came to know that Hotspurs’s new foreigner that had to arrive from Holland to play against us was not in possession of a working permit and if signed on professional basis, would not be eligible to play (work) as a player in Malta. In fact it was true that Mr. Lenny Natteb did not posses a working permit and it was only because strangely enough he had an amateur status that he could play. It was our duty to check if he had all the right papers and for doing so we were amongst other accused of opening a can of worms; that we were playing dirty; and they will sue us for defamation. We want to emphasize again that it was our duty to check that the rules are abided with.

• On Saturday, the day before the big match, the same Nigerian player, who was called names at the Under 21 match, while passing in front of Hotspurs club after training at the Seminary's gym, a Hotspur's committee member starting making sounds like those of a dog barking. Three years ago this same committee member was suspended for six months following a referee report, because he had racially abused our players.

• On Sunday, during the match won by us 2-1, inconceivable and obnoxious words were thrown at our bench from the Hotspurs' bench just for celebrating the two goals we scored. We will not comment on the unsporting behaviour that led to the penalty awarded to Hotspurs when our player coach had been more than half a minute lying on the ground with a head injury so much so that he had to be substituted and taken to hospital.

• However we feel duty bound to outline the unprovoked attack on us mainly from three players wearing the Hotspurs’ gear after the end of the game. Keeping in mind that with the win we will come within a point of leaders Sannat Lions the committee had heavily instructed the players not to retaliate to any provocation whatsoever. Just right after the referee's whistle our officials together with the substitutes went on the pitch near our dressing rooms to celebrate with their fellow players. Here one has to point out that our opponents dressing rooms were on the opposite side of the ground. Hotspurs player Ryan Grech made a degrading remark towards one of our players.

• The club’s secretary turned to see why was this person addressing our player in such a manner. For just turning around the player hit our secretary in the face throwing his glasses to the floor. Another player Michael Vella who happens to be also Hotspurs’ secretary came running from behind hit our secretary on his back and threw him to the floor. When he was trying to lift himself Hotspurs' committee member and also player, Marvin Buttigieg hit him in the head with the bag he had in his hands.

• Both of them kept running and tried to attack another player of ours. On seeing this, our Club President intervened to protect our players while telling other players to keep away. He succeeded to pull away our player. Upon seeing this Michael Vella threw a punch at him hitting him from the back. From this time onwards the police took complete control of the situation.

• We have reported the incident to the police the MFA and the GFA. We expect that the mentioned authorities take the required actions and will not stop until we see that justice is done. It has also come to our ears that some of them particularly a certain known individual are trying to drag parochialism into the matter by divulging blatant lies that we started offending, purposely and with intent, one of the patron saints of Victoria. This reflects to what measures and to what level certain individuals can stoop and how desperate they have become. During the incident members of the committee of Astra Philharmonic Society were present and we are sure that they have seen for themselves how the situation evolved.

• We do not tolerate attacks, insults or intimidations hurled towards our players or supporters. We S.K. Victoria Wanderers will take all the necessary action to safe guard football from coward individuals who hide in numbers, attack from the back and then think that they can walk away scott free.

• Last but not least S.K. Victoria Wanderers would like to thank the President of the GFA Mr. Alvin Grech, Superintendent of Police Antonello Grech, Police Inspector Frank Anthony Tabone, and all the members of the police force present at the match. Their timely intervention saved the day.

S.K. Victoria Wanderers Committee

SK Victoria Wanderers obtained an important victory over Victoria Hotspurs in an exciting match where the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle. This was a direct clash between two teams that were sharing the second place on the table and were both coming from a series of disappointing performances and results. Therefore, the two sides were aiming for the three points at stake to keep their challenge on Sannat Lions. The Hotspurs had Dutch striker Lenny Netteb who was making his debut, while it was also the first match for coach Chris Buttigieg who replaced Giovan Buegja. The Hotspurs also had two regular players, Noel Borg and Jason Portelli missing due to suspension. The Wanderers had defender Simon Gatt missing due to suspension and the player-coach Mark Buttigieg made some tactical changes from their previous matches in an attempt to recover from the defeat conceded in their match against leaders Sannat Lions.

The match was well contested. The Hotspurs saw more of the ball for long stretches but they did not produce much danger to their opponents. They found it difficult to recover the difficult situation and left their best effort when it was too late. This was the third consecutive defeat for the Hotspurs in the campaign and their gap from the leaders is now of four points. On the other hand, the Wanderers operated with counter breaks, took a two goal lead and managed to defend their area to deny the Hotspurs form leveling the score. The new position in the midfield for Ige Adesina was very effective but the Wanderers suffered badly in the final stages as player-coach Buttigieg had to be substituted due to an injury.

The Hotspurs came out more aggressive. In the 6th minute Daniel Farrugia produced an excellent move on the right and from his pass Jemond Xerri was denied from scoring with a fine save by goalie Marlon Mercieca with the aid of the crossbar. The Hotspurs kept some pressure over Marlon Mercieca’s goal, obtaining a series of corners which kept the tension in the area very high. In the 17th minute the Wanderers replied with a header by Rotni Williams from a corner kick by Chris Sciortino that ended just wide. One minute later an angled shot by John Paul Grima ended wide from Mercieca’s goal. In the 22nd minute Ajibade Adesina entered into the Hotspurs territory in a fast break but goalie Mark Grima had good timing to go out of his area and clear the danger.The Wanderers opened the score in the 32nd minute. Ige Adesina unmarked Ajibade Adesina in the area and the latter placed out of goalie Grima’s reach with a low angled shot. The Hotspurs had an immediate reaction going close to scoring through an attempt from outside the area by John Paul Grima that missed the target. The Wanderers managed to control their one-goal lead until the end of the first half and second from the break they could have doubled the score but an attempt by Ige Adesina following a pass by Ajibade Adesina ended inches wide.

After the break the Wanderers took some superiority over their opponents. In the 50th minute goalie Mark Grima was called to make a difficult save following a header by Ajibade Adesina from a cross by substitute Lauran Dimech. One minute later the Wanderers increased their lead. Once again it was substitute Dimech who won a tussle with his direct opponent, the ball arrived to Ajibade Adesina who passed to Ige Adesina, and the latter placed in goal with a low shot. The reaction by the Hotspurs was sterile while the Wanderers operated some dangerous counter attacks through Ige and Ajibade Adesina. In the 66th minute Ige Adesina had a good attempt from outside the area following a solo action that ended just wide. In an immediate reply by the Hotspurs a cross-shot by Daniel Farrugia was deflected on the crossbar by goalie Marlon Mercieca and the defense cleared the danger in corner. In the 77th minute the Hotspurs re-opened the issue. They were awarded a penalty for a foul by Marvin Grech on Fabiano Bassi and the same Bassi converted his shot from the spot kick.

The Hotspurs grew in confidence and in the 79th minute substitute Manwel Cordina entered the area but concluded over the crossbar from an ideal position. In the 86th minute goalie Mercieca was well placed to save a direct free kick by Fabiano Bassi. In the second minute of stoppage time a goal by substitute Joseph Mizzi was disallowed for a foul on goalie Mercieca. The Hotspurs had their last opportunity to save the result one minute later but goalie Marlon Mercieca neutralized with some difficulty an attempt by Jesmond Xerri.

Match comments and pictures courtesy of www.gozofootball.net.

The commitee of the S.K. Victoria Wanderers Football Club would like to wish all its players, supporters and football enthusiasts a Happy Christmas.

Do not drink and drive. Be responsible.

Sannat Lions took revenge for the defeat conceded against SK Victoria Wanderers in the first round and obtained a victory over the citizens which puts them on top of the table. It was a deserved win for the Lions. They produced more scoring opportunities and could have made sure of the three points with a larger score. Sannat were well determined in this direct clash and never gave chance to the Wanderers to create serious danger to their goalkeeper. This was also the first match of the second round for the two teams. Victoria disappointed in this match as they found it extremely difficult to close the gaps for Sannat’s strikers and to test Sannat’s rearguard.

Play was quite balanced during the first period where the two teams produced some offensive play. However, Sannat were more dangerous than their opponents and could have opened the score on more than one occasion. In the 11th minute John Camilleri’s shot from a cross by Fernando de Andrade ended over the crossbar. In the 15th minute Victoria’s goalie Marlon Mercieca ave well an effort by John Camilleri and in the 23rd minute the same goalkeeper was well placed to block an angled shot by Fernando de Andrade. In the 28th minute John Camilleri entered the area in a fast break but had his shot partially saved by goalie Mercieca. Victoria’s defender Marvin Grech recovered in time and cleared in corner before de Andrade could conclude into an open goal. From the resultant corner a lob by Mario Azzopardi was turned in corner. Victoria’ best scoring opportunity of the first half arrived on the half hour through a free kick by Joseph Vella that was saved in corner by goalie Demis Bajada. Two minutes later a long ranged shot by Sabri Rais ended just high.

In the first minute of the second period Sannat’s John Camilleri concluded badly from a good position following a cross from the left by Eman Bugeja. Victoria replied in the 50th minute with a good strike by Joseph Refalo from a pass by Ige Adesina that was saved with difficulty in corner by goalie Demis Bajada. In the 58th minute John Camilleri entered the area with a solo effort but once again he failed to hit the target. One minute later Victoria’s substitute Chris Sciortino had an attempt from outside the area that was saved in difficulty in corner by goalie Bajada. In the 63rd minute Sannat’s John Camilleri lobbed over goalie Mercieca but David Udo Monday recovered and cleared the ball off the line. The Lions increased pressure and in the 68th minute a shot by Mario Azzopardi following a short clearance by the defense from a corner action was deflected in corner.

Sannat’s efforts were rewarded in the 75th minute. Victoria’s rearguard stopped for an offside following a long through pass, but the referee waived play on so that Fernando de Andrade took advantage, had his first shot blocked by goalie Merceica but netted from the rebound. Victoria’s reaction arrived three minutes later with a shot from outside the area by Ige Adesina that was saved by goalie Demis Bajada. Victoria complicated their matters in their attempt to save the result as they ended with a player less on the field in the 80th minute as the referee sent Simon Gatt for an early shower following a foul on Fernado de Andrade. Victoria’s last opportunity to save the result arrived deep into stoppage time when a free kick by substitute Chris Sciortino was deflected in corner.

Match comments and pictures courtesy of www.gozofootball.net.