St Andrew’s 2
Gudja United 2
Gudja United and St Andrew’s gained a point each after a 2-2 draw.
The result meant that Gudja ended the first round in fourth spot, surely an encouraging position for the newly-promoted side who were regarded as relegation candidates at the start of the season.
Yesterday, Gudja suffered an early setback as St Andrew’s forged ahead after only four minutes.
Radoslav Kovachev’s backward header was weak and St Andrew’s Trayko Grozev nipped in to slot past the on-rushing Matthew Xerxen.
The Saints failed to maintain the momentum as they opted to administer their lead. Gudja only managed a half-chance when Emerson Vella’s cross-shot from the left was saved by Sam Bartolo.
Ten minutes from half-time, St Andrew’s came close to a second goal when William Camilleri’s cross wreaked havoc in the Gudja area and Rumen Kerekov got in front of two defenders but, luckily for Leslie Burke’s side, the ball took a deflection and Gudja cleared the danger.
Gudja drew level on 37 minutes and what a goal it was. Kiril Aleksandrov stole a ball in the middle of the park and dribbled past two defenders before passing to Ryan Sell whose first-time effort from just outside the area left Bartolo helpless.
The second half started along the same lines of the first. After nine minutes, Gudja’s Karl Azzopardi fired a shot over the crossbar from outside the penalty area.
St Andrew’s defender Neil Chetcuti then came to his team’s rescue when clearing Aleksandrov’s drive off the line following a Sell free-kick.
St Andrew’s regained the lead in the 69th minute when Grozev latched onto Joseph Farrugia’s measured pass to beat Xerxen with a grounder from close range.
It took Gudja only six minutes to restore equilibrium. Aleksandrov rose well to head home Alan Abela’s cross from the right.
With six minutes to go, Gudja substitute George Chircop’s flying shot from outside the area looked destined to hit the back of the net but Bartolo did well to palm the ball away for a corner.
St Andrew’s: S. Bartolo, N. Chetcuti (C. Catalan Climente), B. Diacono, B. Said, M. Johnson, W. Camilleri, J. Briscoe White, J. Farrugia, N. Vella Petroni (M. Grima), T. Grozev, R. Kerekov.
Gudja: M. Xerxen, A. Abela, E. Vella, J. Tonna, R. Kovachev, K. Bonello, K. Azzopardi, I. Kurtusic, R. Sell (G. Chircop), P.P. Sammut, K. Aleksandrov.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Man of the match: Kiril Aleksandrov (Gudja).