GFA BOV GFL Division II
Sannat Ground
Zebbug R: 5 (M. Cordina 21’, I. Igwemeke 67’, E. Nkwocha 85’, A. Zammit 90+2’, 90+3’)
Saliba, P. Camilleri, C. Bugeja, P. Falzon (A. Zammit), J. Debrincat, M. Cordina, C. Vella, G. Portelli (O. Calleja), E. Nkwocha, P. Cardona, I. Igwemeke.
Munxar F: 2 (J. Parnis 44’, F. Cini 51’)
D. Spiteri, P. Parnis, F. Cini, A. Sacco, A. Simoncic, J. Parnis, P. Said (R. Sammut), R. Meilak, J. Galea, M. Debrincat (J. Vella), J. Azzopardi.
Zebbug Rovers earned three important points form their match against Munxar Falcons and are now in the seocn place on the table with just one point behind to leaders. The match was well contested as the two sides were aiming to obtain the full points at stake. Zebbug needed a victory to keep close to the teams at the top of the table, while Munxar were determined to make up for the disappointing results obtained in their previous matches. Zebbug seemed heading to administer the match until the final stages of the first half as they had a one goal lead and their opponents were reduced to ten players five minutes from the end of the first half. However, Zebbug failed to take advantage and before the break Munxar levelled the matters both in terms of score and players on the field as Zebbug were also reduced to ten players. The match was therefore more interesting after the break and the final result remained in contention until the dying moments of the encounter. Munxar held territorial supremacy during the first part of the second half and not only took the lead but missed some very good opportunities to build a good advantage. Zebbug recovered from the difficult moment and dominated the last part of the match. The Rovers levelled the score and maintained their momentum so that they scored on three other occasions to make sure of the victory.
Zebbug could have opened the score in the first minute of play when Manwel Cordina entered the area with a personal effort but form his low pass Ikechukwu Igwemeke concluded wide form close distance. Munxar were dangerous on 9 minutes through a close ranged attempt by Josef Galea following a free kick by player-coach Alex Simoncic. On 14 minutes Zebbug had a shot through Patrick Falzon that ended away from goal and on 21 minutes the Rovers opened the score when Christian Bugeja released Manwel Cordina inside the area and the latter netted with a low drive. Munxar tried to produce an immediate reaction and three minutes later a direct corner kick by Alex Simoncic almost surprised goalie Baskal Saliba but the ball ended wide. Munxar however found it difficult to create serious danger inside Zebbug’s area and on 35 minutes the Rovers could have doubled the score but a strike by Patrick Falcon was neutralised by goalie Damien Spiteri. Less than a minute later the same goalkeeper made an important intervention to stop the ball inside the small area following an effort by Ikechukwu Igwemeke. On 38 Munxar replied through an attempt by Jordi Parnis that was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and two minutes later the Falcons ended with a player less on the field as Paul Parnis was sent off for stopping Ejofor Nkwocha from entering alone in the area. From the resultant free kick the same Nkwocha had his attempt that ended just over the crossbar. Munxar were not demoralised and on 44 minutes they managed to clinch the equaliser despite playing with a player less when Jordi Parnis passed through Zebbug’s rearguard with a personal action and netted with a low shot that was out of the reach of goalie Baskal Saliba. In the first minute of stoppage time before half time Zebbug were also reduced to ten players when Josef Debrincat was sent off for a second bookable offence. On the hour mark Zebbug replied with an attempt by Ikechukwu Igwemeke that was saved by goalie Damien Spiteri.
The two sides could have scored in the third minute of play of the second period. Munxar had an effort through a shot by Alex Sacco from outside the area that was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and in the following action Zebbug’s Ikechukwu Igwemeke came face to face with Munxar’s goalie Damien Spiteri but the latter managed to save on the fatal line the attempt by the striker. Miunxar turned the result in their favour with a goal that arrived on 51 minutes when Mark Debrincat’s cross from the right flank arrived to an unmarked Francesco Cini who headed into the net from an angled position. Zebbug were shocked and on 56 minutes Munxar could have increased their lead but a shot by Paul Said after receiving from Jordi Parnis ended high. One minute later Jordi Parnis entered Zebbug’s area but his low shot was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba. On the hour mark Zebbug’s Ikechukwu Igwemeke had a good effort that was neutralised by goalie Damien Spiteri and in the following minutes Munxar failed to capitalise from two good scoring opportunities. On 63 minutes Jordi Parnis hesitated to conclude and central defender Patrick Camilleri managed to clear the danger and two minutes later a strike by Francesco Cini ended just over Zebbug’s goal. Munxar were punished for the missed chances as Zebbug levelled the score on 67 minutes when Ikechukwu Igwemeke converted in goal despite a challenge by goalie Damien Spiteri following a cross from the right flank by Christian Vella. Munxar went very close to regain the lead on 70 minutes but a low shot by Jordi Parnis with the goalkeeper outside his position was cleared off the fatal line by defender George Portelli. Zebbug seemed more adventurous during the final stages of the encounter and on 83 minutes a low shot by Manwel Cordina ended just wide. The Rovers regained the lead two minutes later through a header by Ejofor Nkwocha following a free kick from the left flank by Patrick Camilleri. Munxar threw the towel and in the second minute of stoppage time Zebbug scored their fourth goal through a low shot by substitute Anthony Zammit after receiving in the area from Manwel Cordina. Anthony Zammit sealed the victory by scoring the fifth goal for Zebbug in the third minute of stoppage time with a first timer form the edge of the area that surprised goalie Damien Spiteri.
Referee: George Portelli
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