Vodafone Under 16 1st Phase Knock Out

St Venera 2

Rabat D 0

Few were the actions worthy of note throughout the whole 80 minutes.

Sta Venera’s opening goal came in the first action of the game after 13 minutes. Rudi Carbonaro put Wayne Portelli through who scored with a half volley from close range.

Rabat reacted with two actions in succession. Jean P Ciantar put Dalton Wingfield through but his shot missed the bar by inches and Luke Portelli put Jonathan Borg through, the latter served Wingfield but his shot missed the upright by inches.

On 27 minutes Sta Venera doubled from the penalty spot. A Rabat defender handled the ball outside the area, but as assistant Chris Francalanza walked to the goal line, the referee ordered a penalty after consulting him and Shaun Brincat made no mistake from the spot.

A flag kick by Philip Chircop was partially cleared and Carbonaro hit the rebound over Rabat’s bar.

Only four were the actions worthy of note in the last 40 minutes. Rabat ‘keeper Joseph Agius saved on Kevin Attard after a Chircop cross. Saints ‘keeper Mark Falzon foiled Wingfield with a timely sortie after a Sandro Galea through ball. Agius intercepted a cross by Brincat after an Attard through ball and he turned to corner a shot by Attard after a Chircop cross.

Referee: Alex Grech

Player of Match: Not awarded

Naxxar L 1

Gzira U 0

In a yawn-laden and low standard game, Naxxar managed to qualify for the second place. Shots at goal were as scarce as rain in July.

Naxxar ‘keeper Bjorn Attard foiled Clayton Attard with a timely sortie after a Joshua Mifsud through ball. In a Naxxar reaction; Khail Drago crossed to Jurgen Balzan, the latter’s shot was partially cleared and Gerald Sant hit the rebound over the bar.

From a free kick by David Monaco, Alan Francica foiled the killer touch when well placed in Naxxar’s area.

On 23 minutes Naxxar forged ahead. From a well-taken flag kick by Shane Abela, Adrian Fenech headed beautifully in.

A free kick shot by Joseph Borg missed Naxxar’s upright by inches and Byron Attard saved on Monaco after a run down the right flank out speeding two opponents in the process; and just before the half time whistle Gzira ‘keeper Chris Fenech saved in two attempts on Gerald Sant.

There were only five actions worthy of note after resumption.

Fenech saved in two attempts a free kick shot by Abela. Monaco square-passed to Nicholai Gauci but Attard turned his shot to corner at the other end, Drago put Adrian Fenech through, Fenech partially saved his shot with the ball being cleared.

On 63 minutes, Monaco should have equalised for Gzira but he drove over the bar from an ideal position after a Gauci through ball, and in a Gzira last fling, Monaco put Francica through but Attard saved the latter’s shot.

Referee: Chris Francalanza

Player of Match: Not awarded

Correction:

With reference to the match report San Gwann vs Floriana on Friday 2/12/05 the referee was Alex Grech and not William Debattista as erroneously stated. Any inconvenience is regretted.