_____________________________________________________________________
Versity undone by Ta’ Giorni
Ta’
Giorni Wolves 2
Versity
Tal-Qroqq 1
(Half-time
1 – 0)
_____________________________________________________________________
Versity tal-Qroqq had to contest their second match against another of the
league favourites. Although they gave a good impression Versity did lack certain
combative qualities during the match which are important in such matches.
Camilleri decided opted for the familiar 4-5-1 formation. The defensive unit is being consistently changed in view of injuries and missing players. The game saw Barbara and Baldacchino start in the central areas whereas Scerri started off at right back
and Bonanno continued to be deployed in the left back position. Midfield saw
Cutajar, R Zammit and Vella play in the central areas whereas Bugeja played on the left whilst Camilleri was deployed on the
right. Zammit played as the solitary striker.
The
opening exchanges saw Versity play some good football and threading fine passing movement.
They even had a good long range shot from Vella hitting the bar and another good save from the Ta’ Giorni goaler
denied Zammit. However, somehow Versity lost composure and started to play less
well. The pressure on the defensive department started to pile whereas the midfield
seemed to find it difficult to control and create. C Zammit was admirable in leading the charge albeit being alone upfront.
In an intercepted ball Barbara controlled poorly and the ball slipped away, was
gifted to the Ta’ Giorni striker who controlled and shot into the corner. Versity were plucky and were hardly threatening
on the offensive front. Ta’ Giorni had the upperhand but Agius was always
on guard. The whistle brought an end to the first half which saw Versity sheepish
after a promising start.
Versity
seemed to be galvanized on the change of ends and Bugeja continued to be a threat on the left flank. Camilleri tried to mix his pack by putting Vella in central position and moving Baldacchino on the right
of defense whereas Scerri was moved into a central defensive position. A promising
run saw him beat a couple of opponents and his cross- shot saw the Ta’ Giorni goaler muff the ball and somehow this
finished in the back of the net. The goal was just reward for a more enterprising
approach by Versity. Ta’ Giorni who seemed shel shocked turned the pressure
on but Versity were controlling better. However, from a ball which was not cleared
well by the Versity rearguard this took a deflection and in came the striker who powered a header from almost the edge of
the box to score in the corner and give ta’ Giorni the lead. Camilleri
tried to give some weight upfront by replacing Cutajar with Psaila but the move did not reap the desired results. Versity tried to recover and score the draw but they could not overcome a well organized Ta’ Giorni
who thus ran out 2 - 1 winners. Although Versity lost yet again they should be encouraged that till now they played against
opponents who are vying for the top prize and thus should not be disheartened. However,
they do need to improve in their approach play and be more lethal in front of goal.
Formation:
D Agius
[6.5] – could do nothing in conceded goals;
D Scerri
[6.5] – strong;
B Baldacchino
[6.5] – generous;
K Bonanno
[6.5] – reliable;
P Barbara
[6.0]
– unsure at times;
R Zammit [5.5] – wandered out of match;
R Vella [6.5] –
combative;
A Cutajar
[5.5] – not at this best;
P Bugeja
[7.0] – a torn on flank;
A Camilleri
[5.5] – poor by his standards;
C Zammit
[6.5]
– lively;
Subs:
R Psaila
[n.v.] – no
impact;
P Zammit
[n.v] – unused;
Coach & technical staff:
D Camilleri [6.0] – could do
little to change game in view that he had no alternatives on the bench to change the match.
Referees:
[6.5] – controlled game pretty well.
Versity
Player of the match: Paul Bugeja –
the liveliest of the players whereby he tried hard to create problems on the flank and was also the creator of the goal.
