Gharb Register a Large Win and Take Sole Leadership

GFA BOV GFL Division II                                                                            Sannat Ground

Gharb R         :           6          (A. Ofulue 3’, 29’, 69’, 85’; J. Camenzuli 14’, P.A. Attard 71’)

1. Spiteri, C. Gafa’, J. Azzoaprdi, M. Vella, P.A. Attard, J. Portelli (R. Vella), R. Grech, Jsf. Muscat, J. Camenzuli (A. Sultana), O. Farrugia (D. Bellotti), A. Ofulue.

Qala S             :           0

1. Buttigieg, S. Sillato, J. Buttigieg, J. Rapa, M. Pace, F. Mumford (D. Njoku), C. Portelli (J. Cutajar), B. Meilak, W. Cassar, D. Zamora, S. Dimech.

Gharb Rangers scored three goals in each half in their match against Qala Saints and not only retained their ambition to challenge for promotion but also gained sole leadership, although their main rivals Sannat Lions and St Lawrence Spurs have a game in hand.  Gharb were determined to take revenge for the unexpected defeat conceded against Qala in the match between the two sides of the second round and held command of play practically throughout the ninety minutes.  Qala seemed shocked after suffering an early goal and never managed to recover.  Qala particularly suffered at their defence as Gharb’s striker Andrew Ofulue was in an excellent form and was a continuous threat to the Maroons.  Ofulue was the main protagonist in Gharb’s win by scoring four of the six goals for his side.

Gharb had an excellent start and opened the score in the third minute of play through a low shot by Andrew Ofulue following a personal action.  Qala were shocked and Gharb continued to dictate matters.  On 14 minutes the Rangers also doubled the score when a shot by Andrew Ofulue was blocked by Qala’s defence and from the rebound Josef Camenzuli fired in goal from the edge of the area.  On 28 minutes shot by Gharb’s Paul Anthony Attard from an angled position was stopped by the post.  One minute later Gharb added another goal when Andrew Ofulue took the ball from Qala’s defence, entered the area, turned around the goalkeeper and placed easily into an open goal.  On 32 minutes Qala had their best scoring opportunity of the first half but Steve Dimech headed weak from a good position following a cross by Francisco Mumford and the ball ended wide.  On 40 minutes Gharb’s Josef Camenzuli had an attempt directly from a free kick that was stopped by the woodwork.

Qala could have reduced the deficit in the second minute of play of the second period but Dario Zamora’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Gharb’s goalie.  Gharb replied on 49 minutes through a shot cross by Paul Anthony Attard that ended just high and one minute later Qala’s Dario Zamora had a header form close distance that ended inches wide.  Qala went again close to scoring on 65 minutes a strike by Steve Dimech was deflected by the defence and the action ended in a corner.  One minute later Gharb’s Andrew Ofulue had a good shot that was blocked by Qala’s goalie Franco Buttigieg.  On 69 minutes Gharb’s Andrew Ofulue made it 4-0 with a low shot following a personal action and two minutes later the same Ofulue released Paul Anthony Attard inside Qala’s area and the latter added another goal with a low shot from close distance.  On 84 minutes Qala’s goalie Franco Buttigieg saved to a corner an effort from an angled position by Gharb’s substitute Dylan Bellotti and one minute later Gharb’s Andrew Ofulue scored his fourth personal goal and made the final score 6-0 for his side with a low shot from outside the area following a personal action.

Referee: Andrea Naudi