oct 16 2005 12:17

BIRZEBBUGIA TIGERS vs FLORIANA AJAX 4-1

Birzebbugia Tigers got off to a flying start in the 1st Division of the Inter Amateur Soccer Competition when they disposed of Floriana Ajax by 4 goals to 1, in a game which for long periods was a balanced affair, and resolved in the second half by three swift counterattacks thanks to lethal targetmen Neville Farrugia and Ronnie Celeste.

Stefan Schwienbacher was in charge of the team for the first time and the german coach opted to begin with a 4-4-2 formation. Floriana Ajax were the brighter side in the initial period of the game and in the first minutes the Greens forced our players to stay on the defensive. Albert Caruana went close to open the score for the Tigers after five minutes but his shot whisked over the bar. After 11 minutes Floriana opened the score. A long ball thrown into the Tigers' penalty area was not cleared by our defensive line, and Justin Felice netted with a left-footed shot that squeezed past Mangion into the net. Barely 30 seconds had passed when Neville Farrugia unmarked in the Floriana's penalty area served Noel Tabone who slotted home from close range to level the score. The game remained balanced, with Floriana squandering a couple of chances due to lack of precision from their part. On the other hand, a left-footed effort by John Paul Barbara hit the post, from the rebound the same Barbara served Farrugia who missed the ball and a golden opportunity to put Tigers in advantage.

The first part of the second half resulted to be more balanced with no real chances at either end of the pitch. After 15 minutes, Schwienbacher decided to bring on substitute Ronnie Celeste, and after a few moments, the speedy striker, in a rapid counter attack, served the unmarked N.Farrugia who saw his effort beat the Floriana goalkeeper and finish at the back of the net to put the Tigers 2-1 in front. Just three minutes after this goal, Celeste once again produced a solo effort with a fine run for mid-pitch, but was frustrated to see his low shot rebound off the post into Piscopo's hands. On the other side of the pitch, Mangion, the Tigers' goalie was always on the alert, and produced some efficient saves to deny Floriana from scoring. Noel Tabone was booked for an offence he committed just outside the penalty area, a yellow card which, due to the association's absurd regulations, means that the midfielder will miss the Tigers' next match. The third goal was imminent and arrived ten minutes from the end. Another deadly counter attack saw N.Farrugia netting his second personal goal and the third for the Tigers. This goal was the 39th scored by Neville Farrugia in the history of our club, meaning that he equalled the long-standing goal-scoring record by Robert Bugeja. There was also time for a fourth goal, when Celeste had the satisfaction of getting his name in the score sheet after he eluded the opponents' offside trap and with a precise lob sealed the final score of 4-1.

LINE-UP: 1. MATTHEW MANGION; 2-ANTHERO AGIUS, 4-PAUL SALIBA (capt), 5-JEAN PAUL BUSUTTIL, 3-MARK MIGNECO (14-LAWRENCE GALEA); 7-MATTHEW AXIAQ (17. RONNIE CELESTE), 6-ALBERT CARUANA, 8-NOEL TABONE, 11-AARON ANCILLERI (13. CHARLTON CAMILLERI); 10-JOHN PAUL BARBARA, 9-NEVILLE FARRUGIA

 

RESULTS FOR SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER 2005

 

VIEW BIRZEBBUGIA TIGERS' 1st DIVISION MATCH SCHEDULE

VIEW BIRZEBBUGIA TIGERS SQUAD

VIEW IASC 1 DIV RESULTS & STANDINGS

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