GFA BOV GFL Division II
Sannat Ground
Gharb R: 3 (J. Azzopardi 49’, D. Bellotti 60’, S. Fidelis 90+2’)
Spiteri, A. Sultana, M. Vella (R. Grech), C. Gafa’, R. Vella (M. Grech), F. Attard, J. Azzopardi, C. Attard, D. Bellotti, P.A. Attard (J. Camenzuli), S. Fidelis.
Munxar F: 1 (A. Simoncic 20’)
Spiteri (M. Agius), P. Parnis, F. Cini, A. Sacco, A. Simoncic (R. Sammut), J. Parnis, P. Said, M. Debrincat, R. Meilak, J. Galea.
Gharb Rangers obtained a deserved win over Munxar Falcons and confirmed that they may be among the protagonists of the second division championship this season. This was the first match of the campaign for the two sides and both Gharb and Munxar were aiming to obtain a positive result. Munxar managed to end the first half with a one-goal lead but they had a player sent off during the opening minutes of the second half and practically compromised the result. Gharb’s win arrived through a determined performance during the second period where they created continuous danger within Munxar’s territory and turned the result in their favour within the opening stages of the second period and made sure of the three points with a third goal scored during stoppage time.
Munxar could have opened the score in the second minute of play but a free kick by player-coach Alex Simoncic ended just wide. Play started to be balanced as time passed by with very few scoring opportunities at the two ends of the pitch. In 11 minutes Gharb’s Saviour Fidelis had an attempt from a free kick that missed the target and less than a minute later the same striker had a shot from a good position that ended just wide. Munxar opened the score on 20 minutes through a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic that ended out of the reach of goalie Daniel Spiteri. Gharb found it difficult to produce a reaction and on 31 minutes Munxar were again dangerous through a strike by Paul Said that ended just high. Gharb’s best opportunity to level the score before the end of the first half arrived during stoppage time through a low shot by Saviour Fidelis that was saved without difficulty by goalie Damien Spiteri.
In the fourth minute of play of the second period Munxar were reduced to ten players when Paul Said was sent off for a second bookable offence. Gharb took immediate advantage of the extra player on the field and levelled the score on 54 minutes when Gharb’s rearguard failed to clear a cross from the right by Renzo Vella and Justin Azzopardi headed easily in goal from close distance. One minte later the Rangers could have turned the resu.lt in their favour but a shot on the run by skipper Cristian Atard ended just over the crossbar. Gharb kept insisting and took the lead on the hour mark through a header by Dylan Bellotti following another cross from the right flank by Renzo Vella. On 68 minutes Gharb went again close to scoring but a strike by Cristian Attard was well blocked by substitute goalkeeper Mario Agius. Munxar’s reaction was sterile and Gharb continued to express the better play. On 82 minutes the Rangers were again dangerous but a shot form an angled position by Dylan Bellotti ended high. On the stroke of regular time Gharb’s substitute Josef Camenzuli could have added another goal when he entered the area, came face to face with the goalkeeper but concluded wide form an ideal position. Gharb however sealed the victory with the third goal that arrived in the second minute of stoppage time through a low shot by Saviour Fidelis following a personal action.
Referee: Andrea Naudi
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