Ghajnsielem, Oratory share the spoils

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium

Ghajnsielem : 2 (L.A. De Melo Lima 42’, E.F. Da Silva Santos 45’)

J. Grech, An. Xuereb (R. Grima), D. Mercieca, L.A. De Melo Lima, K. Mercieca, Al. Xuereb, A. Oularbi, S.F. Bajada, D. Hili (K. Grima), G. Tusha, E.F. Da Silva Santos.

Oratory Y : 2 (P. Panagiotis 68’, 81’)

C. Mercieca, Ju. Attard (M. Azzopardi), J.P. Longarela, M. Buttigieg, K. Grima, K. Farrugia, L. Mba Mutasi, C. Mercieca (Jo. Attard), J. Buttigieg (A. Bezzina), E. Ebube Okpokwu, P. Panagiotis.

Ghajnsielem and Oratory Youths earned a point each from their direct clash from the relegation zone so that the two sides retained their respective position on the table.  The final score was a just result when considering that each team prevailed over the opponent for a half each.  Ghajnsielem expressed the better play during the first period and opened a deserved two-goal lead with goal that arrived near the end of the first half.  Oratory however had a determined reaction and recovered the deficit through a brace by debutant Papadakis Panagiotis.  Oratory were more dangerous during the final stages and went close to turn the result in their favour on more than one occasion.  The final result at the end did not satisfy either side since both Ghajnsielem and Oratory remain in the red zone but the former maintained their one point lead over the Youths.

Ghajnsielem took command of play form the early stages but found it difficult to convert their paly into good scoring opportunities.  On 17 minutes a goal by Ghajnsielem’s Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos was disallowed for an offside infringement and on 23 minutes Oratory-s defence failed to clear the ball from the area following a free kick by Damon Hilia and the ball arrived ti an unmarked Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos who concluded incredibly over the crossbar from close distance.  Two minutes later a low shot by the same Da Silva Santos, after receiving from Kenneth Mercieca, was well saved by goalie Courtney Mercieca and on 27 minutes the Blacks were unlucky when debutant Luis Andre De Melo Lima had an effort following a corner kick by Alberto Xuereb that was stopped by the crossbar.  On 35 minutes Ghajnsielem went again close to scoring but Alberto Xuereb failed to connect with a header to an inviting cross by Gerald Tusha.  Ghajnsielem opened the score on 42 minutes through a low shot by Luis Andre De Melo Lima following a cross by Gerald Tusha.  Ghajnsielem kept insisting and on 45 minutes the doubled the score when Alberto Xuereb released Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos who entered the area and lobbed over the goal into goal from close distance.

Oratory produce a determined reaction after the break and as time passed by the created some pressure on Ghajnsielem’s rearguard.  On 54 minutes a free kick by Papadakis Panagiotis ended just wide and three minutes later the same striker headed weak from a good position and the ball ended away from Ghajnsielem’s goal.  The Blacks replied on 65 minutes through a strike by Luis Andre De Melo Lima that ended high and three minutes later the Youths reduced the score through a fine header by Papadakis Panagiotis following a cross by substitute Johann Attard.  On 75 minutes Ghajnsielem could have regained the two-goal lead but a header by Luis Andre De Melo Lima following a free kick from long distance by Sam Frank Bajada was neutralised by goalie Courtney Mercieca.  Oratory’s efforts were rewarded on 81 minutes when the ball arrived to an unmarked Papadakis Panagiotis following a corner action and the striker concluded in goal from an ideal position.  During the final stages the two sides tried to score another goal but the Youths were more dangerous than their opponents.  On 83 minutes Ghajnsielem’s goalie Joseph Grech saved with difficulty an effort by Ralph Ebube Okpokwu and in the third minute of stoppage time the same striker received an inviting ball in the area but the defence recovered in time and denied Okpokwu from concluding form close distance so that the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Referee: Shaun Calleja