APS Bank Under 17 Section B
A balanced game which was played at a very fast pace with both teams having their good moments. Following this game Rabat are on maximum points from three games while Naxxar are on four points also from three games.
Rabat opened the score after only a minute when they won a corner kick on the left flank which was well taken by Shawn Abela. In fact, from his screw shot the ball finished at the back of the net in-off the far post past a helpless and surprised Naxxar keeper Sandro Pecorella.
In the first action by Naxxar, Zachary Micallef was fouled outside the area and Rabat keeper Mario Bonello saved the free kick by Jurgen Debono.
Rabat replied and Pecorella saved a free kick by Tanti in two attempts.
Aidan Azzopardi then served Luke Cauchi on the left flank who crossed the ball in the area to Vella but the latter failed to control the ball from a very ideal position.
Naxxar came very close to equalise on two occasions in the 25th and 28th minutes.
James Camilleri served Andrew Cremona with a cross in the area from the right flank and after Bonello partly saved his shot the ball was cleared. Then Zachary Micallef served Yaron Sammut in the area and Bonello denied him with a diving save.
Before the interval, Cauchi missed the upright by inches.
Nine minutes after restart Naxxar again came close to equalise when John Chetcuti served Debono with a through ball and the ball missed the bar by inches with Bonello beaten.
Rabat then won a corner kick on the left flank which was taken by Brandon Farrugia and Pecorella tipped the ball over the bar after a header by Vella.
In the 61st minute Rabat were awarded a penalty when Farrugia served Vella in the area who was pushed by a defender but Pecorella saved the grounder by Vella.
Pecorella then saved on Farrugia in two attempts.
In the last action before the end, Debono served Micallef in the area and after Bonello dived and partly saved the ball a defender cleared it to safety.
Referee: Anthony Buhagiar
Player of the match: Shawn Abela (Rabat)