Kercem lift cup for first time

Kercem Ajax 3Ghajnsielem 1\nKercem Ajax won the GFA Cup for the first time in their history. On Sunday, they beat Ghajnsielem in the final of the 33rd edition of the knock-out competition. The Blacks, who face Victoria Hotspurs for a slot in Division...

Kercem Ajax 3
Ghajnsielem 1

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Kercem Ajax won the GFA Cup for the first time in their history. On Sunday, they beat Ghajnsielem in the final of the 33rd edition of the knock-out competition.

The Blacks, who face Victoria Hotspurs for a slot in Division One on Sunday, were making their 12th appearance in the final, winning on four occasions. Kercem were contesting the final for the third time. They were losers in the previous two occasions.

The Ajax, who lost the league championship to Nadur after a hot race along the season, conceded an early goal but hit back admirably and deservedly finished as clear winners despite the fine match of Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin.

Ghajnsielem opened the score after 17 minutes from a Renato Conceicao penalty, awarded for a foul by Jason Portelli on Anthony Buttigieg.

The Blacks' goal came under siege and on 28 minutes Alfred Effiong drew the teams level when he hit low past Darmanin after a fine solo move.

Ghajnsielem were stunned and three minutes later they conceded another goal from a penalty awarded for a foul by Loretu Scicluna on John Paul Mizzi. Effiong made it 2-1.

Ghajnsielem looked better after the break even though it was Kercem who went closest to scoring from an angled drive by Effiong that was saved by Darmanin.

The Ajax sealed the issue 16 minutes from time with an excellent Sabri Rais goal. He scored with a typical header following a cross from the left by captain Frankie Camilleri.

After the match Gozo FA president Joe Cordina presented the cup to Camilleri as the Ajax fans started celebrating their first major honour since the league championship of 20 years ago.

Kercem: I. Aktpan, F. Camilleri, M. Azzopardi, B. Portelli, J. Portelli, M. Cutajar, E. Vella, C. Hili (J. Vella), S. Rais, A. Effiong (J. Grech), J.P. Mizzi (J. Grech).

Ghajnsielem: S. Darmanin, J. Scicluna, F. Buttigieg, R. Conceicao, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, L. Scicluna (R. Apap), J. Attard, A. Buttigieg (S. Azzopardi), L. Buttigieg, F.L. Galea (B. Muscat).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Next fixtures:
Today - Super Cup SF 4.45 p.m. Kercem vs Sannat.
Tomorrow - Super Cup SF 4.45 p.m. Nadur vs Xewkija.
Sunday - Division One play-off 2 p.m. Ghajnsielem vs Victoria Hotspurs. Super Cup final at 4 p.m.

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