For
some reason, Victoria Hotspurs
have not been able to field a
competitive team to take on this
particular group of Blacks. They
failed to trouble the Blacks
last year and failed to
seriously challenge them again
this year. In Owen Spiteri they
have a fine player and one hopes
that as the season progresses
the rest of the team catches up.
The Blacks were without regular
goalkeeper Owen Xuereb who was
ill, but thankfully well enough
to watch from the sidelines as a
supporter and photographer, and
striker Jamie Vella, who is out
due to injury. Chris Cauchi, the
Blacks second centre-forward
volunteered to play in goal and
performed admirably. He was one
of the steadiest Blacks,
especially in the first half,
when the match was still a
contest. Ismael Belhadj, who is
not a natural main striker,
played up front. Belhadj
displayed great skill and
courage in this new role, and he
was rewarded with a fine
hat-trick.
After conceding a dangerous
free-kick in the opening
exchanges and surviving the
scare, the Blacks proceeded to
make a good start to this match.
Andrew Attard, their sweeper,
missed scoring on a breakaway.
Attard's presence so deep in the
Hotspurs' zone was an early
indication that this was going
to be a rough afternoon for
Hotspurs. Moments later Alberto
Xuereb's corner was headed in by
Marco Ciangura. Soon after Damon
Hili doubled the lead with a
shot from outside the penalty
area. Ismael Belhadj broke
through on a Cauchi clearance
and placed behind the Hotspurs
keeper, Nicholas Portelli for a
quick third.
Owen Spiteri, who had earlier
warned the Blacks of his
potential with a thumping shot
that went wide, reduced the
arrears when he anticipated
Cauchi in the Għajnsielem goal.
This was at the end of some
sloppy play at the back from the
Blacks.
Xuereb, who had a fine outing,
then helped paper over the
worrying cracks at the back when
he turned in from Damon Hili's
low corner, in what was clearly
a premeditated manoeuvre. Hili,
who did want a repeat of last
week's tight match, rounded the
keeper for his second. Dingli
then made a goal line clearance
following a defensive error, as
the disappointing back-line play
continued from the Blacks.
Attard was tripped from behind
and Hili was shown yellow
following the incident for his
involvement in the episode.
Hili's purposeful long clearance
was headed in by Attard who had
sprinted up field and out jumped
the Hotspurs keeper. Moments
later the referee blew the
half-time whistle with the
Blacks ahead 6-1.
At the restart Andrea Grima came
on for Demanuele. The half
started with a solo effort from
Xuereb, who dribbled past two
opponents and then scored with
an easy finish. Coach Alex
Spiteri captain pulled Hili, who
apart from the rush of blood
that led to the caution, had a
good outing, for Massimo Mallia.
Xuereb moved infield and Mallia
played on the left-wing. Soon
after Belhadj added his second
for an 8-1 score. David Scicluna
made his first appearance of the
season when he came on for
Ciangura.
After two near misses Mallia
finally scored with a hard shot
following a Xuereb pass. Spiteri
kept ringing the changes and
cleared the bench when Josef
Vella came on for Christian
Dingli. Vella, who has an eye
for goal, was soon on the
scoresheet when he tapped home
from the generous Attard. David
Scicluna shot in following a
turnover caused by Belhadj.
Scicluna would later be denied
what looked like a great goal
when he was flagged offside.
Belhadj completed his hat-trick
with an angled shot and Xuereb
followed suit with a solo effort
for the definitive 13-1. Andrea
Grima came close on one or two
occasions but there would be no
further scoring.
Karistu Portelli was the
referee. (Photography by Matteo
Ciangura, Josef Vella, Owen
Xuereb)
