Xewkija Earn Deserved Qualification to the First Round

MFA Boost Diesel FA Trophy Prel. Rd
Gozo Stadium

Xewkija earn deserved qualification to the first round

Xewkija T : 4 (T.M. Dos Santos 9’, 76’; R. Buttigieg 25’, J.G. Vella 72’ pen.)

F. Vella (M. Farrugia), J. Azzopardi, J. Cefai, M. Gauci, M. Bamba, J.M. Vella, J.G. Vella, T. Vella (G. Hili), C. Antunes, R. Buttigieg (O. Xuereb), T.M. Dos Santos.

Marsaskala FC : 1 (M. Gauci 80’)

S. Danilov, C. Bordieri, J. Cachia (M. Grech), M. Deguara, J.P. Galea, M. Gauci, M. Pace, M. Sciortino (N. Cassar), N.L. Silva Canas, J. Zammkit, H. Pace (S. Baldacchino).

Gozitan champions Xewkija Tigers as expected obtained an easy qualification to the first round of the second most important competition in Maltese football from their match against Marsaskala at the Gozo Stadium.  Xewkija were superior to the side from the third division of the MFA and could have obtained a victory with a larger margin if it was not for a series of good interventions by Marsaskala’s goalie Sergey Danilov.  For this match Xewkija made some changes from the starting line up of their previous match in the GFA Super Cup final, but they still managed to produce a positive performance which confirms that they should be among the protagonists in Gozitan football this season.  With this victory Xewkija will meet Gozitan side SK Victoria Wanderers in a match from the first round of the competition.

Xewkija could have opened the score in the second minute of play but a strike by Claudio Antunes was well saved by goalie Sergey Danilov.  On 6 minutes Xewkija’s Rodney Buttigieg concluded into an open goal when he took the rebound from the goalkeeper following a free kick by Claudio Antunes but the goal was disallowed for an offside.  The hosts opened the score on 9 minutes when Moussa Bamba headed inside the area a corner kick by Thomas Vella and Thiago Melo Dos Santos headed past goalie Danilov from close distance.  Three minutes later Xewkija lost a good opportunity to double the score but Moussa Bamba concluded wide with an open goal at his mercy following another corner action.  On 23 minutes a shot form close distance by Thiago Melo Dos Santos was blocked by goalie Sergey Danilov and two minutes later Xewkija doubled the score when goalie Danilov blocked a strike by Thomas Vella and the ball arrived to an unmarked Rodney Buttigieg who placed into an open goal with a low drive. On 41 minutes Xewkija were denied from scoring the third goal with a fine intervention by goalie Sergey Danilov who blocked a close ranged shot by Thiago Melo Dos Santos after receiving inside the area from Rodney Buttigieg.

The visitors tried to produce a reaction after the resumption but Xewkija were well deployed at their defense and kept their area clear from serious danger.  On 56 minutes Xewkija were also dangerous but a lob by Claudio Antunes from a good position was neutralized by goalie Sergey Danilov.  On 66 minutes Xewkija’s Claudio Antunes came face to face with the goalkeeper but the Brazilian striker concluded wide and on 72 minutes the hosts increased their lead from a penalty, awarded for a foul by John Paul Galea on Joseph George Vella and the same striker converted from the spot kick.  Marsaskala replied two minutes later through a shot by Matthew Gauci that ended just wide.  Xewkija scored their fourth goal on 76 minutes through a low shot by Thiago Melo Dos Santos following a personal action.  The same Dos Santos went again close to scoring one minute later but his attempt shaved the crossbar and ended high.  Marsaskala scored their consolation goal on 80 minute through a fine strike by Matthew Gauci following a personal action from the left flank.  In the first minute of stoppage time Xewkija went very close to score another goal but an attempt form an ideal position by Claudio Antunes ended wide.

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara