- Created on Monday, 17 October 2011 08:29
Our team succeeded in halting Xewkija's who had won all the matches prior to this one. It was a show of defiance, of not wanting to throw the towel of not wanting to finish on the losing side but above all to prove a point to everyone. One must also keep in mind that our team played for an hour with a player less and this severely crippled our chances of winning this match.
Having back in the starting line the three players that missed the game against Xaghra United the coach made some tactical changes as regards the positioning of the players. These changes gave more stability to the team and the team dictated matters up to the dismissal of Joseph Vella. In fact Xewkija took the lead against the run of play through a free kick by Elton Vella who once again was up to his usual 'cunning ways'. This time the referee of the match was always focused and did not tolerate such things.
Our team did not bow or got demoralized and in fact got the equalizer a few minutes later. The goal was scored by Kenneth Mercieca who kept insisting and got his reward. Unfortunately Joseph Vella was sent off for over rejoicing and from that episode on our boys had to battle on in inferiority. This they did and they managed to close down every corridor and every way towards our keeper. Tactically they were a joy to watch and as regards intensity and fighting spirit it should serve as an ideal yardstick for future games. They put up an insurmountable wall in front of the goal post and relied on counter attacks with the runs of Edinson, Kenneth and Agibade. In fact the closest to score was Kenneth Mercieca who had a shot that shaved the upright post with the keeper well beaten. It would have been a just reward for the commitment shown by our boys.
