GFA BOV GFL Division II
Sannat Ground
Zebbug R : 3 (E. Nkwocha 42’ pen., I. Igwemeke 61’, 64’)
Saliba, G. Portelli, M. Formosa (A. Tabone), C. Borg, M. Cordina, J. Debrincat (P. Cordina), P. Falzon, O. Calleja, C. Vella (D. Portelli), I. Igwemeke, E. Nkwocha.
Qala S : 1 (C. Caruana 73’)
Buttigieg, G. Sillato, S. Sillato, M. Pace (F. Mumford), J. Rapa, L. Meilak, B. Meilak, W. Cassar (C. Caruana), C. Portelli, M. Mamo, K. Kacoli (N. Portelli).
Zebbug Rovers started the second round of the campaign on a positive note and obtained a deserved win over Qala Saints. With the points obtained Zebbug are now five points from the leaders and therefore re-opened their chances to challenge for promotion. The match was well contested during the first hour of play but Zebbug scored two goals in the space of three minutes just after the hour mark and Qala found it difficult to re-open the issue. This was Qala’s second defeat from two matches in the campaign against Zebbug and the Maroons remain at the second place form the bottom and also remain without a win from six matches.
Qala seemed more adventurous during the opening minutes of the encounter and were dangerous through two attempts on separate occasions by Kevin Kacoli that were blocked by Zebbug’s defence. On 8 minutes Zebbug operated a counter break through Ikechukwu Igwemeke but the striker had his attempt from long distance that was stopped by the crossbar. Minutes later Zebbug’s Josef Debrincat entered Qala’s area Ikechukwu Igwemeke failed to connect to the inviting low cross. Qala went again close to scoring on 34 minutes through a shot by Kevin Kacoli that ended wide and two minutes later Zebbug replied through a close ranged attempt by Chris Borg that missed the target. On 42 minutes Zebbug were awarded a penalty for a foul by Michael Pace on Ikechukwu Igwemeke and Ejofor Nkwocha opened the score with his shot from the spot kick. Qala tried to produce an immediate reaction and in the first minute of stoppage time before half time they were dangerous through a strike by Brian Meilak that ended wide. Two minutes later the Maroons could have levelled the score but a header by Kevin Kacoli from a corner kick by Brian Meilak hit the post.
After the resumption Qala tried to keep the momentum but Zebbug defended well and created more danger through counter breaks. The Rovers doubled the score on 61 minutes when Qala’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area and Ikechukwu Igwemeke took advantage of the situation and placed in goal with a low shot. Qala replied one minute later through a header by John Rapa from a free kick by John Rapa that ended wide. On 64 minutes Zebbug scored their third goal when Ikechukwu Igwemeke entered Qala’s area with a personal action and fired in goal with a shot from an angled position. In the following minutes Qala tried to re-open the issue and on two separate occasions shots by Kevin Kacoli ended on the side of the net. On 73 minutes Qala reduced the deficit through a tap-in by substitute Christoph Caruana following a low cross by Luke Meilak. Qala’s best opportunity to score another goal arrived on 79 minutes through a shot by Christian Portelli that was saved by goalie Baskal Saliba.
Referee: George Portelli
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