Lions take sole leadership

SK Victoria W. 0
Sannat Lions 1
De Andrade 75

Sannat Lions are the sole leaders of the Division One standings after beating SK Victoria Wanderers in a direct clash at the Gozo Stadium.

The Lions gained the revenge they were seeking following their defeat in the corresponding first-round match. They enjoyed possession for long stretches and, in the end, deserved the three points as Victoria did not live up to expectations and looked more interested in settling for a draw.

Sannat could have opened the scoring early following efforts by Fernando de Andrade and John Camilleri as the Lions keeper was only called to make one difficult save.

Towards the end of the first half, Demis Bajada had to be alert to keep out a free-kick from the distance by Joseph Vella.

Victoria shared the exchanges with the Lions in the initial stages of the second half and also carved out the best opportunities following shots by Joseph Refalo and substitute Chris Sciortino.

But, the Lions soon started to increase the pressure and their efforts were rewarded 15 minutes from time when De Andrade had his first shot parried by Mercieca but netted easily from the rebound.

Victoria's best chance to save the match arrived three minutes later through a shot by Ige Adesina that was neutralised by Bajada.

The Citizens practically gave up hope 10 minutes from time when they had Simon Gatt sent off for a foul on De Andrade.

SK Victoria W.
M. Mercieca, S. Gatt, M. Grech, D.U. Monday, F. Magrin, M. Buttigieg, A.R. Williams, J. Refalo, A. Adesina, I. Adesina, J. Vella (C. Sciortino).

Sannat Lions
D. Bajada, B. Njoku, J. Agius, A. Debono, M. Muscat, M. Formosa, F. De Andrade, J. Camilleri, M. Azzopardi, S. Rais, E. Bugeja (R. Nagem).

Referee: Feodor Zammit.

Red card: S. Gatt (VW) 80.

Gozo Cup sponsors

Last week, BOV were unveiled as the main sponsors of the Gozo Cup for the next three years. BOV are also the sponsors of the women's league on the sister island.

Jack Theuma, BOV Gozo branch manager, Alvin Grech, and Joe Bajada, GFA president and secretary respectively, signed the agreement.