Xewkija Held to a Draw after Nine Wins

GFA BOV GFL Division I                                                                             Gozo Stadium

Xewkija T       :           1          (C. Frances 36’)

1. Sultana, R. Buttigieg, M. Xerri, M. Hrubsa, G. Hili, J.M. Vella (J. Azzopardi), S. Bajada, E. Vella, C. Frances (C. Bugeja), D. Shields, T.M. Dos Santos.

Kercem A       :           1          (G.Franca Amadio 87’pen.)

1. Vella, L. Grima, P. Kyumyurdzhiev, M. Tabone, M. Mifsud, J.P. Mizzi, C. Debono, A. Mizzi, O. Spiteri (J. Buttigieg), G. Franca Amadio, T. Grozev.

In the main match from match-day 16 of the championship, hot favourites for the title Xewkija Tigers were held to a draw of two goals by Kercem Ajax.  Xewkija were coming from two matches where they managed to earn the full points at stake despite unconvincing performances, and were therefore expected to show improvement from their previous matches since they were facing a more competitive side.  However, Xewkija once again failed to express the full potential of their experienced and talented players and in this match against Kercem they did not manage to hold command of play despite enjoying a one-goal lead for a good part of the encounter.  Kercem seemed determined to obtain a positive result against their more quoted opponents.  They were more aggressive during the opening stages and although they suffered Xewkija’s play during the final stages of the first half they insisted to save the result after the break and their efforts were rewarded as they clinched the equaliser from a penalty that arrived three minutes form the end of regular time.

Kercem were more offensive in their play during the opening minutes of the encounter.  In the 12th minute of play a header by Trayo Grozev following a free kick by Petar Kyumyurdzhiev.  Two minutes later Xewkija’s Claudio Frances hit badly from the edge of the area and Kercem’s goalie neutralised the ball without any difficulty.  Kercdem were again dangerous on 18 minutes through a free kick by Petar Kyumyurdzhiev that was turned to a corner with difficulty by goalie Steve Sultana.  As time passed by Xewkija started to operate better in the midfield and produced their best patch of play during the final stages of the first half.  On 24 minutes a lob by Elton vella missed the target and on 31 minutes Shaun Bajada produced a personal initiative inside Kercem’s area, turned around the goalkeeper but his shot ended on the side of the net.  Xewkija were again dangerous on 34 minutes when a free kick by Claudio Frances was partially saved bv goalie Franklin Vella and from the rebound Rodney Buttigieg netted from close distance but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.  Xewkija opened the score on 36 minutes through a strike by Claudio Frances following a melee inside Kercem’s area where an attempt by Thiago Melo Dos Santos was deflected on the post and another attempt by Rodney Buttigieg was cleared off the fatal line by Mario Mifsud.  Xewkija went again close to scoring on 39 minutes through a shot by gennaro Hili that was saved to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.

After the break Kercem showed their intentions to produce a reaction and on 48 minutes a good shot by Gustavo Franca Amadio was neutralised by goalie Steve Sultana.  Four minutes later the same goalkeeper deflected to a corner an attempt by Jean Paul Mizzi following a corner kick by Gustavo Franca Amadio.  Xewkija replied with a free kick by Shaun Bajada on 56 minutes that ended just high and on 72 minutes a shot by Kercem’s Gustavo Franca Amadio was stopped by Xewkija’s keeper.  In the following minutes Xewkija increased their efforts in an attempt to increase their lead.  On 76 minutes Dene Shields had a close ranged shot that was blocked with difficult by the defence and two minutes later the same Shields hit badly from close distance after receiving from Thiago Melo Dos Santos.  On 79 minutes Xewkija’s Gennaro Hili had a curling shot that ended just wide and Kercem replied one minute later through a prolonged action at the edge of the area as Xewkija’s goalie cleared badly a long cross but Andrew Mizzi’s shot was blocked by the defence and from the rebound Jean Paul Mizzi’s attempt ended wide.  On 84 minutes Kercem protested for a penalty as Xewkija cleared with difficulty form the area a free kick from long distanced by Petar Kyumyurdzhiev.  On 87 minutes the Ajax were awarded a penalty when Xewkija’s goalie cleared the ball outside the area, near the corner flag, but the ball hit a Kercem player and ended in the area.  Andrew Mizzi arrived on the ball but was pushed from behind by Xewkija’s Manwel Xerri and ended on the floor.  The referee’s decision was not contested strongly and Kercem saved the result with the shot from the spot kick by Gustavo Franca Amadio.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri