GFA BOV GFL Division I
Sannat Ground
SK Victoria W: 0
Vella, D. Mercieca, J. Attard, S.F. Bajada, S. Draskovic, M. Azzopardi, P. Dordevic, C. Sciortino, I. Xuereb (S. Harland), I. Grkajac, M. Raskovic.
Victoria H: 0
Parnis, M. Bamba, J. Portelli (M. Bezzina), D. Farrugia, J. Vella (J. Bajada), S. Attard (C. Mercieca), L.R. Zome, O.I. Guobadia, J. Tabone, K. Farrugia, H. Maciel.
In the first match from the second round of the BOV Gozo Football League Division I, SK Victoria Wanderers and Victoria Hotspurs earned a point each form a goalless draw. The final result does not satisfy either team as they both remain in the second position from the bottom and on equal points. The Hotspurs were more offensive in their play and were denied from scoring on more than one occasion by keeper Matthew Vella, but the Wanderers, who play for more than twenty minutes with a player less on the field, created some good scoring opportunities near the end of the match and could have clinched the victory. The final result however is quite just and the match itself confirmed that the two sides have serious problems in attack, a situation that is reflected in their current position on the standings.
During the opening minutes the Hotspurs saw more of the ball while the Wanderers operated with counter breaks. In the fourth minute the Hotspurs had a shot by Shaun Attard that was neutralised by goalie Matthew Vella and the Wanderers replied through a shot by Ian Xuereb on 10 minutes that was blocked by the defence. The Hotspurs almost opened the score on 16 minutes but goalie Matthew Vella managed to block a shot on the run by Joseph Vella following a cross by Shaun Attard. On 21 minutes the Hotspurs were again dangerous through a strike by Henrique Maciel from outside the area that ended just wide but on 24 minutes the Wanderers replied through a header by Igor Grkajac following a cross by Milanko Raskovic that was weak and easily saved by goalie Adrian Parnis. One minute later the same striker operated a counter break but concluded badly and the same goalkeeper neutralised the danger. On 26 minutes the Hotspurs had an attempt through an overhead kick by Louis Rene Zome that was saved by goalie Matthew Vella. On 42 minutes the Hotspurs were unlucky when a strike by Kevin Farrugia was saved with difficulty with the aid of the crossbar by goalie Matthew Vella so that the first half ended in a goalless draw.
The Hotspurs came out in a better shape after the break but the Wanderers created the first serious scoring opportunity of the second half. On 53 minutes Igor Grkajac entered the area from the left flank but his shot on the run missed the target. On 59 minutes the Wanderers were reduced to ten players when Sam Frank Bajada was sent off for a second bookable offence and from the resultant free kick goalie Matthew Vella managed to save a direct free kick by Henrique Maciel. On 74 minutes the Hotspurs operated a good move from the right flank but from James Tabone’s cross, Shaun Attard concluded over the crossbar from an ideal position. The Hotspurs kept insisting and on 76 minutes goalie Matthew Vella made two difficult saved following consecutive shots by Louis Rene Zome and Henrique Maciel. The Wanderers replied on 82 minutes through a direct corner lick by Igor Grkajac that ended just wide and one minute later the Hotspurs were also reduced to ten players when Henrique Maciel was sent off for remarks towards the opponent’s bench. On 85 minutes the Wanderers went very close to score but Igor Grkajac had a curling shot that was turned with difficulty to a corner by goalie Adrian Parnis. Victoria Wanderers had the last scoring opportunity of the encounter when defender James Tabone risked an own goal to clear a low cross from the right flank by Sam Harland.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Photos: Anaca Photography
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