oct 30 2005 15:18

BIRZEBBUGIA TIGERS vs SANTA LUCIA 1 - 2

A series of missed chances and an evident refereering mistake right at the final whistle handed Birzebbugia Tigers the first defeat of the season at the expense of newly promoted Santa Lucia, who are now leading the table together with Luqa Juniors and Cospicua St Thomas with maximum points from two games. The Tigers slip to fourth place with two points in two games.

The Tigers were the livelier side throughout most of the first period and it was no surprise that after nine minutes they took a deserved lead. John Paul Barbara served debutant Jeffrey Fenech who unleashed a spectacular shot from just outside the penalty area with the ball finishing at the top right corner, beating Sta Lucia goalie completely. The Tigers' strikers continued to surge forward and soon after the advantage, from a distant Fenech through-ball, Neville Farrugia lobbed over the rushing Sta Lucia goalkeeper, only to see his effort go wide. Barbara also had a chance to double the lead but his right-footed shot was saved easily by the opponents' goalkeeper. The Tigers were in complete control during the first period and a much more conspicuous advantage was surely deserved for Schwienbacher's players.

Sta Lucia began vehemently the second period and right from the start the Tigers' defence was put under pressure. After four minutes, M.Sciortino zig-zagged through two defenders, before being put down by Baldacchino. Referee Joe Camilleri pointed to the penalty spot. The same Sciortino took charge of the penalty kick, but saw the Tigers' goalie Matthew Xerxen produce a fine save to deny Sta Lucia from equalising. Our opponents did not lose heart after this missed chance and five minutes later, Paul Saliba handed the ball in his own area. For the second time, the referee awarded Sta Lucia a penalty. This time, M.Cutajar turned up to take the penalty. Once again Xerxen parried the shot but unfortunately the ball rebounded in Cutajar's path who had the easiest of chances to score. With the score tied to 1-1, the Tigers made an immediate reaction and from a corner, P.Saliba's shot was saved easily by Sta Lucia's goalie. After 23 minutes, Sta Lucia took the lead. A back-pass thrown at Xerxen was cleared into the path of an opposing forward who lobbed home from outside the penalty area. The Tigers rushed forward in a desperate attempt to equalise the score and from a Migneco's cross, Neville Farrugia saw his close-range effort rebound off the post. The easiest of chances was wasted, and on the other end, Xerxen produced a flying save to deny Sta Lucia from going 3-1 up. Right at the end, the Tigers were denied from equalising by a terrible refeering mistake. Baldacchino's header from a Barbara's freekick finished at the far post where N.Farrugia nodded home from close range. To the astonishment of all those present, the goal was ruled out for a non-existing offside. The game finished moments later, with the Tigers on the losing end, a defeat in this short league that leaves no time for further errors.

LINE-UP: 1-MATTHEW XERXEN; 2-TIMOTHY MASSA, 5-DENNIS BALDACCHINO, 6-MICHAEL CIAPPARA (14.PAUL SALIBA), 3-MARK MIGNECO; 10. ALBERT CARUANA, 8-CLIVE FORMOSA (capt)(15. STEFAN SCHWIENBACHER), 4-JEFFREY FENECH, 7-DANIEL GALEA; 9-NEVILLE FARRUGIA, 11-JOHN PAUL BARBARA

 

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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