Close win puts Xewkija with top teams

24 November 2020

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – Match Day 2Gozo Stadium

Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
Sannat Lions FC : 0

43’ (1-0) Jhon Sandobal Guarin

Xewkija T:

F. Vella, J. Axiak, J. Vella, N. Micallef, M. Mercieca (R. Buttigieg), J. Buttigieg, C. Antunes Pavlidis, T, Vella, J. Xuereb (T. Grech), O. Xuereb (J. Cefai Bonnici), J. Sandobal Guarin.

Sannat L:

L. Xuereb, L.B. Da Silva, J. Zammit, D. Hili, D. Borg, L. Silva Gomes, C, Vella, M. Mifsud (P. Said), J. Buttigieg, B. Said, F.J. Xuereb.

Xewkija Tigers scored a goal two minutes before half time in the match against Sannat Lions and earned three very important points which put them with the top teams on Match-Day 2 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division.  The match between Xewkija and Sannat turned out into a well contested encounter where each side was aiming for the full points at stake for different reasons.  Xewkija needed a win to build a comfortable lead over the red zone sat an early stage of the championship, while promoted side Sannat were determined to win their first points in the top flight this season.

Xewkija expressed some supremacy during the first period and also managed to score the goal that decided the issue.  However, Sannat had a good reaction after the break and kept pressure on their opponents for most of the time but the Lions were often erratic in their finishing and failed to capitalise from their best opportunities to recover the score.  This match was a special occasion for Xewkija’s central defender Josmar Vella as he was playing the 200th match with his side and before the kick-off he was also presented with a commemorative jersey by Xewkija’s President Jeffrey Farrugia.

Timeline

Play during the first part of the encounter took place mainly in the midfield where the strikers were well controlled by the respective strikers.

5’ Xewkija could have scored an early goal but a strike by Claudio Antunes was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

21’ Sannat replied with a shot form long distance by Christian Vella that was neutralised in two attempts by goalie Franklin Vella.

22’ Sannat were again dangerous through a low shot from outside the area by Joseph Zammit that ended just wide.

24’ Xewkija could have created more danger but a shot by Thomas Vella missed the target.

30’ In another action by Xewkija Thomas Vella delivered the ball towards the far post from a free kick but Claudio Antunes headed badly from a good position and the ball ended wide.

33’ Xewkija’s striker Thomas Vella could have concluded better but he headed badly from close distance and Sannat’s defence managed to block the danger to a corner.

43’ (1-0) Xewkija scored the goal that decided the issue when Sannat’s keeper failed to clear the ball from a free kick by  and Jhon Sandobal Guarin took advantage of the situation and headed into an empty goal.

HT (1-0)

Sannat Lions came out more aggressive for the second period and practically took full control of play.

4’ Xewkija’s defence hesitated to clear the ball from the area but Sannat’s Christian Vella missed the opportunity and at the end goalie Franklin Vella took the ball and neutralised the danger.

6’ Sannat went again close to scoring but a strike from outside the area following a corner action ended just over the crossbar.

25’ Sannat had their best opportunity to level the score when Brandon Said entered Xewkija’s area from the right flank but from his inviting low cross Christian Vella saw his shot on the run that ended wide.

29’ The same Christian Vella once again threatened Xewkija’s rear guard with a shot from outside the area that was saved with some difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella.

39’ Sannat managed to surprise Xewkija’s defence when the ball arrived to an unmarked Brandon Said from a free kick and the latter fired in the net with a low shot but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement by Sannat’s striker Joseph Zammit

FT (XT 1 – SL 0)

Referee: Darryl Agius