Hotspurs Share The Spoils With Sannat Lions

Hotspurs Share The Spoils With Sannat Lions

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 4) – Sat 16 Dec 2023 – Kercem Stadium

Victoria Hotspurs FC – FT (0-0) – Sannat Lions FC

R. Sammut, L. Grima, O. Cremona, L. Farrugia (J. Grech 52), L. Atzori (A. Camilleri 88), S. Attard (E. Xiberras 30), D. Farrugia, D. Mercieca, C. Caruana, J.G. Vella, W. Valentim De Sousa.

In the last match from Match-Day 4 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division, challengers for promotion Victoria Hotspurs and Sannat Lions earned a point each from a goalless draw so that the Hotspurs are now sharing the top position with Munxar Falcons. At the same time, Sannat remain in a situation where they may reach the two teams who are leading the table.

The turned out to be quite interesting as the two sides had some good scoring opportunities during the first part of the encounter, but as time passed by the Hotspurs saw more of the ball and went closer than their opponents to obtain the win. Sannat managed to remain in contention as their defensive deployment resisted to Victoria’s pressure and goalie Kyle Attard was in a fine form to deny the Citizens from scoring with a series of fine interventions. Overall the outcome of this match was a just result as the two sides were rewarded for their respective efforts to win.

Timeline:

During the first minutes play took place in the midfield as both sides found it difficult to produce offensive actions. Sannat operated with vertical play towards their main striker while the Hotspurs tried to take control of play through possession. As a result the match became quite balanced where the outcome was uncertain.

17’ The Hotspurs created the first attempt towards goal of the encounter when Lorenzo Atzori delivered a cross from the right flank but the attempt by Wellington Valentim De Sousa was weak and saved without difficulty by goalie Kyle Attard.

18’ Sannat replied with a run by Boubacar Kanta who entered Victoria’s area but goalie Richard Sammut had good timing and denied the striker from concluding towards an open goal.

19’ The same Boubacar Kanta could have created more danger when Boubacar Kanta took the ball inside Sannat’s area but the striker hit badly from a good position and the defence cleared the ball from the danger area.

25’ (crossbar) The Hotspurs went very close to take the lead but an attempt directly from a free kick by Joseph George Vella hit the crossbar and from the rebound, Lucas Farrugia concluded high from close distance.

36’ Sannat had another good opportunity to open the score when a free kick by Paul Said was partially saved by goalie Richard Sammut and from the rebound Cyriel Buttiegieg hit badly and the goalkeeper saved the danger.

38’ Victoria were again dangerous through a header by Lawrence Grima following a corner kick by Joseph George Vella but the ball ended away from goal.

42’ Victoria produced more danger within Sannat’s area when Joseph George Vella delivered the ball from a free kick but Dylan Mercieca’s header ended high.

43’ The Hotspurs could have produced more danger when Joseph George Vella passed to substitute Etienne Xiberras but the latter saw his shot on the run that ended away from goal.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

After the break, the Hotspurs increased their efforts and held more command of play but Sannat continued to be well-organised at their defence and the latter tried to surprise their opponents with counter breaks.

9’ Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard was well placed and blocked a free kick by Joseph George Vella but from the rebound substitute Joey Grech concluded high.

12’ Sannat replied with a shot from a long distance by Boubacar Kanta that was saved in two attempts by goalie Richard Sammut.

21’ (protests for penalty) The Hotspurs protested for a penalty when Joey Grech ended up on the floor inside the area following a challenge for the ball with the goalkeeper.

25’ Victoria was again dangerous when the trike by Etienne Xiberras was blocked by Sannat’s defence and from the clearance the attempt from close distance by Lorenzo Atzori was well saved by goalie Kyle Attard.

30’ Sannat’s goalie made another important intervention when he blocked a low shot by Victoria’s Wellington Valentim De Sousa and the ball ended in a corner.

35’ The Hotspurs had another good scoring opportunity when Victoria’s Joseph George Vella delivered a cross inside Sannat’s area from the left flank, Dylan Mercieca headed towards the goalmouth but goalie Kyle Attard saved the overhead kick by Wellington Valentim De Sousa.

43’ The Hotspurs could have capitalised better when Sannat’s defence cleared badly but Wellington Valentim De Sousa missed the opportunity to conclude from a good position as goalie Kyle Attard cleared the ball from the danger area.

45+6’ Sannat’s substitute goalkeeper Francesco Portelli was well placed and blocked a good shot by Wellington Valentim De Sousa.

FT (VH 0 – SL 0)

Referee: Vladimir Rizoski