Important Win for Zebbug

GFA BOV GFL Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Qala S: 1    (S. Dimech 55’)

Buttigieg, S. Sillato, J. Rapa, F. Mumford, L. Portelli (M. Pace), B. Meilak, S. Dimech, M. Mamo, G. Sillato (W. Cassar), L. Meilak, N. Portelli (M. Cefai).

Zebbug R: 3    (I. Igwemeke 31’, 42’; M. Cordina 62’)

Saliba, P. Camilleri (A. Tabone), C. Bugeja, P. Falzon, C. Borg, M. Cordina, P. Cardona, O. Calleja (D. Portelli), G. Portelli, E. Nkwocha, I. Igwemeke.

Zebbug Rovers had an excellent start to their second division campaign and earned the full points at stake with a victory over Qala Saints.  The Rovers were more adventurous during the first half and opened a comfortable two-goal lead. The Saints had a good reaction after the break and managed to reduce the deficit and re-open the issue.  Qala’s hopes of saving the result was short lived as the Rovers scored their third goal just after the hour mark and controlled play for the rest of the encounter.  Zebbug’s debutant Ikechukwu Igwemeke was Zebbug’s hero in this victory by scoring a brace.

Zebbug were more aggressive during the first half and during the first part of the match they created danger within Qa’s defence through initiatives by Chris Borg, Manwel Cordina and Ikechukwu Igwemeke.  Qala operated mainly with counter breaks and created the best scoring opportunity on 21 minutes when Luke Meilak entered the area and came face to face with goalie Baskal Saliba but the latter made a good intervention and saved his goal by turning the ball to a corner.  The same goalkeeper left his position in time four minutes later when he managed to block an effort by Marlon Mamo who was released in a fast break.  Zebbug had a good scoring opportunity on 28 minutes when Chris Borg came face to face with Qala’s keeper Franco Buttigieg following a through pass by George Portelli but Qala’s extreme defender managed to block Borg’s close ranged attempt.  The Rovers however managed to open the score on 31 minutes when Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Igwemeke entered Qala’s territory with a personal action, turned around the goalkeeper and deposited the ball into an open goal.  Qala were shocked and on 42 minutes the Rovers doubled the score when Manwel Cordina passed to Ikechukwu Igwemeke who concluded in goal from close distance.

Qala were more aggressive after the break and on 47 minutes Steve Dimech unmarked Luke Meilak inside Zebbug’s area but the latter concluded incredibly over the crossbar from an ideal position.  Qala however managed to re-open the issue on 55 minutes when Marlon Mamo passed on the flank from a free kick to Brian Meilak and the latter crossed inside the area so that Steve Dimech concluded in goal with a tap-in.  Zebbug were not demoralised and regained their two-goal lead on 62 minutes when Qala’s rearguard failed to clear a corner kick by Omar Calleja and Manwel Cordina fired in goal from close distance. Qala could have reduced the score on 77 minutes but Luke Meilak’s shot from a good position missed the target.  On the other hand Zebbug were also dangerous one minute later when Ikecukwu Igwemeke entered the area with a personal action but concluded wide when he was alone in the area.

Referee: Joe Agius