_____________________________________________________________________

Versity win first league match   

Versity Tal-Qroqq      2

Marsa Baxter           1

(Half-time 1 – 0)

_____________________________________________________________________

In their third league match Versity tal-Qroqq snatched their first win of the campaign in an important encounter against opponents who may be embroiled in the relegation zone. The match saw Versity holding the upperhand yet it was not a vintage performance and Versity did not play its best football and still need to improve in their general approach game.  On their part Marsa played a good match and giving a fine account of themselves even though they were lacking in the attacking area. 

Camilleri decided in contrast to previous matches to adopt a 4-4-2 formation.  The absence of several defenders and other players due to injury or unavailability forced Camilleri to play Scerri at right back, Vella in a central position with Barbara whereas Bonanno the current captain continued to be deployed in the left back position.  Midfield saw Cutajar play with Cassar in the centre of the park whereas Bugeja was on the left with Camilleri on the right.  Zammit played as main striker with Fenech playing off him. 

The opening exchanges saw a nervy Versity who did not settle in well and play was restricted mainly in the central areas.  However, Marsa were good as a unit but did not offer any particular danger apart from using the long ball.  On the quarter mark Versity opened the score courtesy of a poor pass by the Marsa rearguard whereby Zammit controlled well and scored neatly in the bottom corner.  As the minutes ticked away Versity started to get the upperhand but Marsa controlled well. Versity’s rearguard was troubled by some long balls but they cleared their lines well although Abdilla at times showed uncertainty in his sorties.  The whistle brought an end the first half and allowed Versity to leave with a minimal but important lead.            

Marsa started the second half intent on drawing level.  In fact they piled some early pressure and the Versity rearguard was under intense pressure and was clearing with certain difficulty.  Camilleri made his first change and he reshuffled his defense with Ellul Soler coming on for Vella and placing him as left back, Scerri was moved into a defensive midfield position, Cassar went as centre-half and Bonanno was shifted to right back.  Marsa continued to give trouble as Versity continued to find it difficult to impose themselves on the game where one could only see glimpses of good play by Bugeja and Camilleri whilst Cutajar was doing lots of recovery work.  However, a well lofted pass found Fenech in some space, who controlled well, made space and fired in a good goal.  However, Camilleri opted to put caution into the game and off came Fenech and in went R Zammit to provide better balance and assist in the counter attack.  As the game wore on, off came C Zammit to be replaced by the towering Agius. Some poor understanding between Barbara and Abdilla allowed the Marsa striker to nip in a goal and set-up a tense final 10 minutes.  Versity almost scored a third but first R Zammit missed the target with a curling shot by a whisker and later Agius was caught in an offside position.  Some tension arose and a Marsa player was sent off in the proceedings.  However, Versity held on for an important hard earned win against opponents who have a good organized game and will give a hard time to many teams. 

 Formation:

C Abdilla            [5.5] – unsure in sorties;

D Scerri             [6.0] – overambitious at times;

K Bonanno         [6.5] – generous;

P Barbara          [6.5] – reliable;

R Vella             [6.0] – under pressure;

A Cutajar           [6.5] – worked hard;

P Bugeja           [6.5] – could improve positional play;

A Camilleri         [6.0] – improved with time;

K Cassar           [7.0] – fine overall game;

C Zammit          [6.5] – cool finish;

D Fenech           [6.5] – well taken goal;

Subs:

R Zammit          [6.0] – good contribution;

J Ellul Soler        [6.0] – secure;

D Agius             [6.0] – tried hard;

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri        [7.0] – good game plan but limited in positional choices whilst the players are not expressing themselves to the best of their ability

Referees:          [6.5] – they showed good overall control.

Versity Player of the match: Kevin Cassar – he started in midfield and involved himself well with ball possession and movement.  When he moved as centre half he also gave a good account of himself.