Versity Tal-Qroqq vs Cospicua Dynamos

Date: 29^th March 2008

Venue: Paola

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Sharing of spoils

Versity Tal-Qroqq      0

Cospicua Dynamos     0

(Half-time 0 – 0)

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Sponsors:

Mitsubishi Motors; Philip Toledo IT Solutions; Ristorante Sottovoce – M’Skala

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The contest saw Versity fight hard and defend resolutely especially in the second half when Cospicua pressed hard for the winning goal. Ultimately, it earned Versity the only point against one of the two top teams and thus avoid another defeat in the hands of Cospicua as well.

Starting with the customary 4-5-1 formation for Camilleri started with Sciberras on the left, in the centre Ferrante and Baldacchino whereas Buttigieg played as right back. D Agius returned as goaler. The central midfield was composed of Cutajar, Bonnici and Bugeja whereas Calleja played on the right with Sammut on the left. C Zammit as usual was lone striker.

Versity’s intents were clear from the outset to allow little space as possible and use the counter attack. After the initial studying period Cospicua started to make headway and caused some problems. Versity did not just look and they themselves were causing some concern of their own to the Cospicua rearguard mainly through the constant running of Bonnici and Bugeja. In fact if at times Versity had better cohesion and threaded a better final pass they could have even reaped better rewards. Play was generally evenly shared in the first half with Cospicua maybe showing some better approach work.

As the second half started off Versity were well drilled to make a good fight of this match, thwart and see what they can take out of this match. The defence was well led by one of the best players of the season, Ferrante, who well aided by his teammates left little space for Cospicua to carve out any openings. In fact Agius was only called to make some routine saves but he did well the little action he was called upon. Cospicua did have the territorial advantage and apart from one or two attempts which were eventually ruled offside, they could not penetrate well into the final 16 metres to get a clear sight of goal. The final 15minutes of the match saw Camilleri use his last two substitutions to put in fresh legs. However, the tide was going always the same way. However, Versity managed to hold out and earn a point for gallantry.    

In the previous round Versity were undone by a last minute gasp goal. This time they managed to hold on for a point which also meant that this was the first draw of the campaign for this team. Versity will now look forward to their last two matches against opposition of a similar caliber whereby they will try to increase their points tally for the current season.

Formation:

D Agius [6.5] – Assured;

 D Caruana [6.5] – Good delivery;

S Ferrante [7.0] – Galant;

B Baldacchino [6.5] – Solid;

K Buttigieg [7.0] – Enterprising

A Cutajar [6.0] – Not at his best;

A Sammut [6.5] – Worked hard;

I Calleja [6.0] – Not at his best;

K Bonnici [7.5] – Brave and battled hard;

P Bugeja [7.5] – Constant thorn;

C Zammit [6.5] – Generous;

Subs:

E Sciberras [6.5] – Tenacious;

R Schembri [6.0] – Could be better

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri [7] – The team was well organised and well motivated to take something out of this match.

Versity Player of the match: Kenneth Bonnici – he produced a high energy performance whereby he never stopped chasing his opponents, recovered numerous balls, good in distribution and covered the defence well.