Lija-Iklin win low key game – ARTICLE BY VICTOR CIANGURA, PHOTO SUPPLIED BY OUR OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, STEPHEN GATT.

07 Nov Lija-Iklin win low key game – ARTICLE BY VICTOR CIANGURA, PHOTO SUPPLIED BY OUR OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, STEPHEN GATT.

The information, choice of match and views set out in report  are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Youth FA

Under 15 Section C

Lija-Iklin   1    Naxxar  0

There were very few actions worthy of note during this game. Lija-Iklin were the better outfit during the first period while the second period was dominated by Naxxar. Lija-Iklin are now on 3 points from 3 games while Naxxar are still pointless also from 3 games.

Lija-Iklin commenced on the offensive. Kyle Cassar was fouled in midfield and following the free kick by Isaac Zammit Naxxar keeper Nedved Refalo saved a close-range shot by Kieron Galdes. A well-taken flag kick by Gabriel Scerri was headed away with difficulty and after Zammit was fouled in midfield Refalo saved the hard low drive from the same player’s free kick.

In the first action by Naxxar in the 14th minute Jacob Farrugia entered the area after dribbling past two opponents and Lija-Iklin keeper Benjamin Dingli was forced to dive and save his shot to a corner which was taken by the same player and after the ball was partly cleared outside the area Liam Dingli missed the upright from the rebound shot, at the other end Lija-Iklin won a corner kick on the left flank which was taken by Scerri and Zammit missed the upright from outside the area after the ball was partly cleared.

In another Naxxar action Gabriel Azzopardi served Keith Golovkin with a through ball in the area and Dingli foiled him with a timely sortie, the last action before the break was created by Lija-Iklin when Aaron Stagno was fouled outside the area and the ball thumped the bar from the free kick by Jake Cumbo with Refalo beaten and the ball was cleared away.

The second period was dominated by Naxxar. Jacob Farrugia entered the area after dribbling past two oppoonents and a defender cleared the ball to a corner and from the flag kick by the same player the ball was cleared from over the line from a header by Federico Zrinzo Azzopardi.

In the only action by Lija-Iklin in the 51st minute they took the lead when substitute Alessandro Agius served Galdes with a through ball who after entering the area scored with a hard low drive.

Naxxar kept pressing in an effort to save the game. Liam Dingli was fouled in midfield and the ball was cleared with difficulty after the free kick by Gabriel Azzopardi. Substiute Matthias Muscat was fouled on the left flank and after Azzopardi’s free kick the ball was cleared to a corner. A corner kick by Farrugia was cleared to another corner and after substitute Samuel Bugeja was fouled outside the area Azzopardi drove slightly over the bar from the free kick.

Lija-Iklin:  B.Dingli, N.Falzon sollars, D.Micallef, J.Cumbo, K.Cassar, A.Stagno, K.Galdes, G.Scerri, C.Micallef, S.Farrugia, I.Zammit (Capt)

Naxxar:  N.Refalo, C.Falzon, L.Dingli, F.Zrinzo Azzopardi, I.Zarb, G.Azzopardi (Capt), S.Frendo, J.Farrugia, O.Tanti, K.Golovkin, L. Cocchiara

Player of the match:  Jacob Farrugia (Naxxar)

Referee: Carmel Vassallo