UEFA Regions’ Cup 2016/2017: Intermediary Round Group 1
Gozo Stadium
Gozo Region (MLT): 0
Vella, M. Tabone, J. Vella, O. Spiteri, G. Hili, J. Pace (D. Hili), D. Farrugia, S. Attard (C. Mercieca), R. Buttigieg, A. Mizzi (M. Bezzina), J. Camilleri.
East West Central Scotland (SCO): 5 (S. Heaver 12’pen, N. Moore 56’, 87’; G. Butler 77’, N. Mcclure 86’)
Wilson, K. Feaks, S. Methven, H. Bruce, A. Mcgown, D. Kneale (S. Smith), N. Mcclure, S. Heaver, A. Macpherson (N. Moore), G. Currie (G. Butler), K. Mclellan.
In the first match from the Intermediary Round Group 1 of the UEFA Regions’ Cup 2016/2017 the hosts Gozo conceded a 0-5 defeat by favourites for the qualification to the finals of the competition East West Central Scotland. The representatives of Scotland enjoyed territorial supremacy for most of the encounter but Gozo remained in contention for more than an hour of play and ended up suffering a heavy score with three goals that arrived in the final stages of the match. The Scotts confirmed their ambitions to win the group and therefore to earn qualification to the finals of the competition in 2017. They held command of the midfield and operated fast play mainly through the flanks.
The Scotts managed to create dangerous actions through different players and Gozo’s rearguard was often put under serious pressure. However, the Gozitan team tried to be serious contenders for the points at stake and despite suffering an early goal from a penalty they had some good patches of play, particularly during the last part of the first half and the opening minutes of the second half. Gozo failed to capitalize from their best scoring opportunities so that they became demoralized as time passed by. They also lost concentration and shape during the final stages and compromised the possibility to obtain at least a respectable score by conceding three late goals.
The host could have opened the score on 6 minutes but a strike by Andrew Mizzi was saved with difficulty by goalie Stuart Wilson. Four minutes later Gozo operated a good break but skipper John Camilleri headed badly from an ideal position following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg and the ball ended away from goal. Gozo were punished for the missed chances and Scotland were awarded a penalty on 11 minutes when Allan Macpherson was floored in the area by Manuel Tabone and Sean Heaver converted from the spot kick to put the visitors in the lead. Two minutes later Scotland could have doubled the score but a close ranged attempt by Niall Mcclure was blocked by Gozo’s keeper. Gozo’s reaction was sterile and as time passed by Scotland piled more pressure in attack. On 31minutes Kenneth Mclellan headed wide from Gozo’s goal following an inviting cross from the left flank by Scott Methven and in the following minutes Gozo managed to recover from the difficult moment and shared more play with their opponents in the midfield. Gozo went closest to level the score on 22 minutes when Rodney Buttigieg entered the area with a personal action but form his low cross Shaun Attard failed to conclude at goal so that the score until half time remained unchanged.
Gozo were again dangerous after just one minute of play of the second period through a long ranged shot by Rodney Buttigieg that was turned to a corner with difficulty by goalie Stuart Wilson. The visitors replied on 52 minutes through a cross from the right flank by Gary Currie but David Kneale failed to connect from an unmarked position. The Scotts doubled the score on 56 minutes when Gozo’s keeper Franklin Vella partially saved a free kick by David Kneale and from the rebound substitute Nicholas Moore placed the ball in goal from close distance. Gozo replied four minutes later through a low shot from outside the area by substitute Damon Hili that was neutralized by goalie Stuart Wilson and on 66 minutes Scotland’s Sean Heaver had an attempt form an angled position that was stopped by the woodwork. Gozo went again close to reduce the deficit one minute later when Shaun Attard entered the area with a personal action, his effort was cleared badly by the defense but substitute Michael Bezzina had his shot on the run that was blocked by goalie Stuart Wilson. On 76 minutes Gozo’s goalie Fanklin Vella made a good save to deny Harry Bruce from scoring but the Scotts increased their lead one minute later through a close ranged header by substitute Graham Butler. On 83 minutes Harry Bruce had an attempt with Gozo’s keeper out of his position that was blocked to a corner by defender Gennaro Hili. Gozo threw the towel and the Scotts scored two more goals until the end of the match. On 86 minutes Sean Snith headed in the area a corner kick by Sean Heaver and Niall Mcclure placed in goal from the melee in front of Gozo’s goal. One minute later Nicholas Moore fired in goal from the edge of the area to make the final score 5-0. The visitors could have added another goal on the stroke of regular time bu Sean Smith’s attempt was saved to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.
Referee: Sacha Amhof (SUI)
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