Versity Tal-Qroqq      0

Cospicua Dynamos    3

(Half-time 0 – 2)

This match was a test for Versity Tal-Qroqq to rate their credentials against a strong opponent eyeing a return to first division football. If anything, the first 30 minutes of the match showed Versity were value for money but once they found themselves in arrears they lost composure and never managed to trouble again their opponents. 

Versity fielded the returning Cutajar and Ellul Soler in their formation which was based on the typical 4-4-2 formation albeit with Cutajar playing the libero complemented by Grima as centre half whereas Buttigieg and Sciberras played on the defensive flanks. In midfield Ellul Soler took on the role the defensive midfielder whereas Ferrante in typical fashion orchestrated the attacking moves aided by Calleja and Zammit. In attach Mifsud was the target man whereas Williams played in a supporting role.

The start was very encouraging for Versity and they pressed their opponents deep into their half to force Cospicua into an error. Cospicua were shocked by this approach and they took time to settle down but they managed to ride this difficult moment. Versity for all their dominance only managed a few shots at goal with the best chance falling to Ferrante around the 20^th minute who hit the upright to the dismay of his teammates. It was a pity since Versity where showing the better ideas, passing the ball intelligently but at the cost of spending loads of energy.

Around the 30^th minute in a foray By Cospicua their attacker defended the ball well on the edge of the 6 yard box, turned round Grima, Ferrante and shot on goal with the ball hitting the upright coming back into his feet and firing Cospicua into the lead. A slight moments of hesitation by the Versity rearguard and they were fully punished. Barely five minutes elapsed and Cospicua doubled their lead. The ball was played through the midfield by Cospicua and no Versity player closed the advancing midfielder who finding himself with space let fly a scorcher which hit the underside and floated behind the line. These two goals were harsh on Versity and as the half drew to an end one could see that they had a mountain to climb if they wanted to take out something out from this match.

Versity seemed to come out with the belief that they could turn the tables around. However, Cospicua had other ideas and shortly after the restart they made sure of the points. The Cospicua striker turning Buttigieg inside out and with space on the edge of the box let fly a delightful shot which flew nicely over Abdilla (exposing his lack of height in similar fashion to the second goal) into the net. This goal seemed to blow the wind out of Versity’s sails. In came Sammut for Ellul Soler but Veristy could not recover from such a deficit. Further changes were made with R Zammit coming in for Cutajar and Baldacchino for C Zammit. Versity tried to find a route to goal to score a consolation goal but they lacked penetration and discipline to do so. From an eventual opening on the left Baldacchino on his debut saw his shot rebound off the upright. However, as the match drew to its end Versity seemed to lack ideas, were slowing down and eventually fizzled out. 

Versity lost but events could have been different if the opening period had bore the desired results. However, the loss does not take away the good things shown but surely a sharpening of their attack is required to ensure that chances are turned into goals whereas further cohesion and tightening at the back would help to avoid goals.

Formation:

C Abdilla [5.5] – Not at his best;

C Buttigieg [6] – Could be better;

A Cutajar [5.5] – Lacked cohesion;

D Grima [5.5] – Unsure at times;

E Sciberras [6.5] – Solid;

J Ellul Soler [5.5] – Poor by his standards;

I Calleja [7] – Industrious;

S Ferrante [8] – Confident performance;

C Zammit [6] – Tried hard;

C Williams [6] – Fought hard;

A Mifsud [6] – Lacked penetration;

Subs:

R Zammit [6] – late cameo;

A Sammut [6] – little time to make impact;

B. Baldacchino [6] – decent debut;

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri [6.5] – strategy was well but team failed to maintain momentum

Versity Player of the match: Stephen Ferrante – in defeat he still produced another commanding performance.