16.9.07

Versity Tal-Qroqq AFC got off to a good start in its preparations for the forthcoming 2007-2008 MAFA season. The hard work of the committee bringing in new blood in the squad apart from new sponsorhip deals with Mitsubishi Motors, Philip Toledo IT & Security Systems and Sottovoce Restaurant started off on a positive note. Parading the new recruits in the process it seems the team has more depth and this should augur well for the upcoming season. Today they played a preparatory match in which they dominated from start to finish albeit for few moments against Tarxien AFC an opposition which surely did not have it best squad at its disposal and had a number of regulars missing.

Camilleri, Versity coach opted for the tried but trusted 4-4-2 system which is his platform formation (at times using the schemer option and other moments utilized a flat four). The new signings seemed all to adapt well in the morning heat. Ferrante was the pick from Versity where his sublime skill and game intelligence will be of great aid to this squad. When playing as libero he marshaled the defence well, which in turn gave little away with Grima, Salerno and Sciberras attentive whilst keeping their opponents at bay.  Bonnano and Caruana who entered the fray in the second period also made a valid contribution. When Ferrante was moved into midfield in the second period he showed his class in orchestrating one attack after the other. In midfield Ellul Soler was assured in his performance and aided by Williams they moved the ball around well. The flanks which had Sammut and Buttigieg (later on Schembri) also provided the necessary width whereas in attack the pairing of Mifsud and Calleja was effective causing their opponents numerous anxious moments.

The first period closed off with Versity leading 1-0 courtesy of their new player Sammut who anticipated his marker with a perfect run and scored on his debut. In the second period, Versity increased its presence since Tarxien seemed to be tiring out and Calleja (2) goals (on his return after a year inactive due to injury), Mifsud scored on his debut and Sciberras (also scoring on his debut) made a rosy result.

Hopefully this result gives much needed confidence to a squad who still has other important players to integrate in order to have a successful season.

Vs Tarxien AFC FT 5-0 HT (1-0)

Formation - Chris Abdilla, Elvin Sciberras, Maurizio Salerno, Steve Ferrante, David Grima, Jacques Ellul Soler (Karl Bonanno), Chris Buttigieg, Charles P Williams (Donald Caruana), Aaron Sammut (Roberto Schembri), Aaron Mifsud, Ivan Calleja,

Scorers – Aaron Sammut, Aaron Mifsud, Ivan Calleja (2), Elvin Sciberras