Zebbug Rovers stun Sannat

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Zebbug R : 2 (C. Borg 11’, G.B. Mufulwane 37’)

B. Saliba, G. Portelli, M. Formosa, C. Borg, O. Calleja, M. Ciangura, G.B. Mufulane, P. Camilleri, E- Xuereb (J. Muscat), C. Vella, A. Zammit.

Sannat L : 0

O. Attard, M. Muscat, D. Borg (J. Bonnici), F. Xuereb, S. Sultana, J. Agius, M. Portelli, N. Micallef, O. Farrugia, J. Zammit (S. Curmi), I. Mampalao.

Zebbug Rovers earned their first points in the campaign form the victory over Sannat Lions.  Sannat were favourites to win this match as they were aiming to make up for the defeat conceded in their previous match and regain a position close to the top of the table.  However, Zebbug were determined to obtain a positive result after two defeats in their first two matches of the campaign.  The Rovers were well organised at their defence and also managed to capitalise from their best scoring opportunities during the first period.  Sannat tried hard to save the result but they were often erratic in their finishing and in at least three occasions their attempts were stopped by the woodwork.

Play took place mainly in the midfield during the opening minutes but on 11 minutes Zebbug opened the score as Sannat’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area following a free kick from close distance and Chris Borg surprised Sannat’s keeper with a fine volley.  Two minutes later Sannat replied through a shot by Joseph Zammit following a personal action that was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and on 25 minutes the same goalkeeper was well placed to save to a corner a direct free kick by the same Joseph Zammit.  From the resultant corner kick by Nicholas Micallef a header by Mark Muscat hit the crossbar.  On 33 minutes Sannat were again unlucky when a header by Matthew Portelli following a free kick by Mark Muscat was also stopped by the crossbar.  Sannat were punished for the missed chances as Zebbug doubled the score on 37 minutes through a low drive by Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane who entered Sannat’s area with a personal action.  Sannat were not demoralised and one minute later they could have reduced the score but a close ranged header by Oliver Farrugia following a cross by Nicholas Micallef ended just wide.  On 43 minutes Sannat were once again unlucky when a direct free kick by Joseph Zammit hit the post and from the rebound Oliver Farrugia’s attempt was saved by goalie Baskal Saliba.

After the break Zebbug tried to administer their two-goal lead and also managed to produce some scoring opportunities where they could have sealed the issue.  On 53 minutes Sannat’s goalie Owen Attard was called to make a good save to deny Christian Vella form scoring following a personal action.  Sannat continued to find it difficult to produce danger within Zebbug’s area and the closest that they went to scoring was on 65 minutes but an effort by Isaac Mampalao was saved to a corner by goalie Baskal Saliba.  Two minutes later Sannat’s goalie was again called to make a difficult save following a shot by Chris Borg and the same goalkeeper was again well placed minutes later to save attempts on separate occasions by Chris Borg and Elijah Xuereb.  Sannat could have re-opened the issue on 81 minutes but a strike by Matthew Portelli was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba so that the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Referee: Ryan Aquilina