Versity Tal-Qroqq      2

Tarxien AFC             0

(Half-time 1 – 0)

An effective and efficient all round game saw Versity return to winning ways. Playing against opponents who had registered a number of positive results, Versity had to produce a good display if they wanted to come out on top from this match. They did and their performance was of such a standard that they made their opponents at times looked like an ordinary lot.

If Tarxien, could complain that they had missing elements, Camilleri also had to scratch his head to make up for injured and missing players. Ferrante their influential midfielder was out with flu, Williams injured and won’t return before the coming year whereas also Buttigieg was unavailable apart form other valid players Schembri and Caruana who were also missing. However, the depth in squad at the possession of Camilleri made up for these absences and fielding yet again the effective 4-5-1 formation deployed against Vittoriosa, the team made their opponents chase the ball for most of the match.

Versity played with a flat back four, Sciberras taking on the right flank and Salerno on the left were complimented with the central duo of Bonanno and Grima. Bonanno took on the general defensive duties which he directed with great effect and composure nullifying any dangers not dealt with by his team-mates whereas Grima shadowed the main Tarxien striker threat. It must be said that Grima blotted out the Tarxien heavyweight from the match with some timely interventions. Sciberras effective as ever is an unsung hero in the defensive lines whereby his constant performances make him a very valid addition to this squad. Salerno carried out his role well and he is adapting well with his new squad. The increased options at the back allow Camilleri to juggle around and still have a reliable backline. Such a good defensive performance practically left Agius in goal a bystander who only had to carry out routine work.    

In view of the missing Ferrante, Camilleri moved Cutajar to a midfield position and surely he enjoyed his outing scheming passes around although at times he lacked precision. He was well aided by R Zammit (who had his first season start) who looked very confident on the ball (he will surely add pains to Camilleri on future choices) and made the Tarxien midfield chase on numerous occasions. On the flanks Calleja was a threat and menace all the time he had the ball in his feet. His jinking moves, dribbling and passing caused the Tarxien back line a number of uneasy moments. He was in fact the catalyst behind the two goals scored by Versity. Mifsud usually deployed as a striker was given a role on the left midfield flank and he carried his duties well providing the necessary width for Versity’s moves. Bugeja was deployed behind the main striker, making the numbers in midfield to overrun the opponents when defending whereas he was another constant threat in articulating attacking moves. The returning C Zammit was deployed as the lone striker. He roamed around, to find and create space and his outstanding performance was crowned with two personal goals.

Versity left the starting blocks in confident mood and started moving the ball around to find a route to Tarxien’s goal. This early dominance saw Tarxien on the defensive and they only threatened through long balls which Versity dealth with well. From a good move on the left involving Cutajar, R Zammit, Bugeja provided Mifsud with a good chance as he was well played but the Tarxien goaler rendered a good save to deny Versity. On the quarter hour mark Versity broke the deadlock. After some further Versity pressure, Calleja drafted in a low cross on which C Zammit pounced in like a panther from nowhere leaving his marker stranded and opened the scoring to the delight of his mates. Play continued to be orchestrated by Versity but they failed to find the net for a second time before the end of the half.

Hardly had the 2^nd half got underway that Versity doubled their lead. Calleja dribbled around on the right flank and as the ball ran on the bye line in came C Zammit who without thinking twice shot at goal from the acutest to angles and he managed to find the net at the other corner. This was a magnificent effort from the striker. This goal set the tempo for the second half as Tarxien had to try to come out and find a way back into the match whereas Versity tried for a third and killer goal. Tarxien had their moments but the Versity rearguard dealth with the dangers well apart from a momentary scare when in a dead ball situation the ball was not cleared well and a snap shot saw Tarxien hitting the woodwork. Some better finishing from Versity’s side could have yielded more goals and a rosier picture. In fact C Zammit could and should have made it a personal hat-trick when played on goal but he shot tamely. Camilleri effected some changes to keep the momentum going and in came Sammut for Mifsud, Ellul Soler for Salerno and Bonnici for R Zammit. Sammut had two good opportunities but somehow he missed. As the game drew to its end Versity controlled proceedings and they went out meritedly happy 

This time round Versity turned out a good performance, scored the goals that mattered and won the match. The performance was good, aggressive, solid and even allowing some arrogance at times. They still lack certain clinical finishing and which would make their games easier and reduce pressure. They must not be carried away, but the team in contrast to previous years has the strength to take the game to their opponents and dictate matters. However, they must be humble enough to keep their feet to the ground and Camilleri has to ensure that unity amongst the team members remains at the forefront.

Formation:

D Agius [6.5] – Carried duties well when called on;

E Sciberras [7.5] – Solid as a rock;

K Bonanno [7.5] – Marshalled defence well;

D Grima [7.5] – Towering performance;

M Salerno [6.5] – Covered his lines well;

A Cutajar [7] – Directed proceedings;

I Calleja [8] – Constant threat on flank;

P Bugeja [7] – Linked play well;

A Mifsud [6.5] – Effective in new role;

R Zammit [7.5] – Industrious;

C Zammit [8.5] – Virtuoso performance;

Subs:

A Sammut [6.5] – Hard working but missed good scoring chance;

Kenneth Bonnici [6.5] – Dynamic;

J Ellul Soler [6.5] – Confident;

Coach & technical staff:

D Camilleri [8] – team well deployed to overwhelm the opponents

Scorers:

C Zammit (2)

Versity Player of the match: Charles Zammit – an all round excellent game by Versity’s forward who crowned this match with two well taken goals the second of which made from nothing.