Senglea Gunners vs Versity Tal-Qroqq

Date: 27^th April 2008

Venue: Paola

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Versity succumb to narrow defeat

Senglea Gunners       2

Versity Tal-Qroqq      1

(Half-time 0 – 0)

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Sponsors:

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

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The knock out competition came back into the fray after completion of the league commitments. Versity were hoping of producing another giant-killing act and they were not far had it not been for some lapses in the final part of the match. Camilleri was faced with missing players most notably in defence. He opted for the cautious 4-5-1 even though Senglea played with a man less.

Versity started cautiously but tried to take the game to their opponents in order to take advantage of their numerical superiority. However, they failed to make the necessary openings and their midfield was not well co-ordinated with certain players failing to click and find composure. As usual Ferrante produced another man of the match performance with his defensive colleagues playing well. The real problem came from midfield whereby there was a lack of cohesion. Versity tried to produce openings but they failed to make their mark in final 16 metres and in turn although playing with a man down Senglea showed tactical acumen in moving the ball well and keeping the Versity rearguard on its toes. The first half saw few goal-mouth action since most of the time play contrived in the middle of the pitch. It was an even balanced first half but Versity should have made more of their man advantage.

In the second period one could notice that Vesity effected two changes with Bugeja and Schembri going off whereas Calleja and Bonnici came on. Versity seemed to be better organized and their approach work improved. In fact on one of their attacking forays a fine ball to Sammut saw him being pulled back at the edge of the box and the referee rightly pointed out to the spot. Up came Ferrante who coolly dispatched the ball into the back of the net. Versity tried to take advantage of their positive moments and could also have gone two goals up but they failed. Senglea in turn were threading better football and they swung the ball to open up Versity. From a well palced through ball Psaila who up to now was having a good match mistimed his intervention allowing for the opponents striker to run clear who did not make a mistake and planted the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer. Versity tried to regroup and nose again ahead but unfortunately they conceded a second. Muscat in the meantime was drawn into the libero position let his opponent steal a march on him and once more the striker dispatched into the net for Senglea’s lead. Versity tried to recover but their opponents held on to secure their passage to the next round.  

Versity showed their moments in the second half after a poor first half. However, they were undone by some poor defending and some players such as Muscat who failed to do his assigned duties. However, although this was the last match for the current season versity should be proud that in the current year they had a very good showing in the league and also made progress and were not undone by the bigger guns in the knock out competition.

Formation:

D Agius [6.5] – Okay;

S Ferrante [7.5] – Monstrous;

R Psaila [6.0] – Tried hard;

E Sciberras [6.5] – Sound defending;

K Buttigieg [6.5] – Solid;

A Sammut [6.5] – Generous;

R Schembri [5.5] – Poor;

P Bugeja [6.0] – Could be better;

C Williams [6.0] – Fine;

M Muscat [5.0] – Poor;

C Zammit  [6.5] – Ran Hard;

Subs:

A Mifsud  [6.0] – Fine;

K Bonnici [6.0] – Battled;

I  Calleja [6.0] – Tried;

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri [6.5] – The team was well fielded but some players at times were undisciplined in their positional play.

Scorers:

S Ferrante (p);

Versity Player of the match: Stephen Ferrante – He led defence well and also tried to initiate the attacks from the backline. He fought for the cause but at times found little help from his colleagues.