Created on Monday, 12 September 2005 12:24

Champions Ghajnsielem found it more difficult than expected against SK Victoria Wanderers and only managed to qualify for the semi-finals with a goal scored during extra time. It was a deserved qualification for Ghajnsielem, who managed to recover the score on two occasions and insisted for the decisive goal during extra time. Ghajnsielem’s debutant Renato Conceicao had a quiet debut. On the other hand Victoria improved from their last outing. They were a better side, especially with the return of Simon Gatt, Joseph Refalo and Daniel Muscat who were suspended for the match in the previous round. The Wanderers failed to register a surprise qualification due to their lack of experience, as they did not manage to defend their lead in the dying moments of the match.

Victoria had a very good start and opened the score in the 3rd minute through Daniel Attard, who headed behind goalie Eric Mercieca following a freekick by debutant Patrick Camilleri (ex-Zebbug R). Ghajnsielem recovered from the shock and in the 15th minute Joe Attard concluded wide from an ideal position. In the 30th minute Victoria’s Philip Cardona had a good effort deflected in corner by Frank Buttigieg with the goalkeeper beaten, and three minutes later Victoria’s goalie was called to make a difficult save following a close ranged shot by Jeremy Camilleri. In the 35th minute the Wanderers were again dangerous with a header by Joseph Achokwu, but in the 43rd minute the Blacks levelled the score. Loretu Scicluna entered the afrea, dribbled two defenders and unmarked Larry Buttigieg. The latter placed easily behind goalie Mercieca so that the first half ended in a draw. Ghajnsielem were more aggressive after the break and goalie Marlon Mercieca became the protagonist with a series of fine saves following efforts by Brian Meilak, Jeremy Camilleri and Joe Attard.

Victoria regained the lead in the 66th minute with a low shot by Damiel Muscat following a through pass by Philip Cardona. Ghajnsielem replied with a good effort by Joe Attard that was well blocked by Victoria’s goalkeeper, but the Blacks lost composure but Victoria failed to take advantage. In the 69th minute Joseph Achokwu concluded wide from an angled position after a solo effort and minutes later substitute Chris Sciortino shot over the crossbar from an ideal position. Ghajnsielem managed to regain forces and in the 85th minute they scored the equaliser through a long ranged shot by substitute Franklee Galea and forced extra time. However, Victoria could have scored a dramatic goal in the first minute of stoppage time but a shot by Philip Cardona was cleared off the fatal line by substitute defender Jonathan Debono. The match had to be decided by extra time, where Ghajnsielem saw more of the ball and in the 112th minute they scored the decisive goal through a cross-shot by Brian Meilak that surprised goalie Marlon Mercieca. Ghajnsielem will meet Kercem Ajax in the semi-final.