Munxar regain leadership with a close win

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Munxar F : 2 (J. Parnis 15’, M. Matthias Uzor 34’)

L. Xuereb, K. Borg, C. Gafa, B. Meilak, C. Bugeja (P. Parnis), R. Meilak, M. Debrincat (R. Sammut, F. Attard), O. Curmi, M. Matthias Uzor, P. Said, J. Parnis.

Qala S : 1 (M. Mumford 73’ pen.)

J. Curmi, J. Buttigieg, M. Cefai (C. Caruana), B. Sammut, F. Mumford, M. Mumford, J. Cutajar, M. Pace, J. Attard, S. Spiteri (D. Njoku), J. Mifsud.

Munxar Falcons defeated bottom placed Qala Saints with the odd goal from three in a match where the challengers for promotion held command of play for most of the time.  Munxar practically paved the way to the victory with two goals scored during the first half but reduced their intensity after the break so that they allowed Qala to become more offensive and re-opened the issue during the last minutes of the encounter.  With the points obtained Munxar ended match-day 14 of the campaign at the top of the table with one point more than rivals Sannat Lions.

Munxar took command of play from the early stages and dominated throughout the first period.  In the fifth minute of play Munxar’s Jordi Parnis produced a dangerous action but his low cross addressed to an unmarked Michael Matthias Uzor was cleared in time to a corner by defender Michael Pace.  One minute later Munxar had a goal by Michael Matthias Uzor that was disallowed for an offside and on 12 minutes Qala had a shot by Francisco Mumford that was well saved by goalie Lorjean Xuereb.  Three minutes later Munxar were awarded a penalty for a foul by Michael Pace on Jordi Parnis.  Munxar’s Jordi Parnis had his shot from the spot kick partially saved by goalie Jonathan Curmi but the same striker converted form the rebound to put his side in the lead.  Qala’s keeper was again called to make an effective intervention on 21 minutes to save to a corner a shot by Ryan Meilak.  From the resultant corner kick by Christian Bugeja Qala’s defence failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth but Munxar’s Oliver Curmi headed over the crossbar from an ideal position.  On 23 minutes goalie Jonathan Curmi was almost surprised by a corner kick by Jordi Parnis but the custodian of Qala’s goal saved the danger with the aid of the post.  Munxar scored their second goal on 34 minutes through a fine header by Micahel Matthias Uzor following a free kick from long distance by Brian Meilak.

Play after the break became more balanced as Munxar reduced their pressure and administered their two-goal lead with authority.  Munxar could have added another goal on the hour mark but a free kick by Jordi Parnis ended just over the crossbar.  Qala took advantage of the situation and gained some confidence to share more play in the midfield. The Maroons also re-opened the issue on 73 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by substitute Paul Parnis on Jake Mifsud and Michael Mumford converted from the spot kick.  During the remaining minutes of the encounter Qala increased their efforts in an attempt to save the result but Munxar resisted well and also created the best scoring opportunities where they could have made sure of the victory.  On 77 minutes Munxar’s substitute Frank Attard entered Qala’s area but he tried to pass to Michael Matthias Uzor instead of concluding from a good position so that defender Joseph Buttigieg recovered in time and cleared the danger to a corner.  In the second minute of stoppage time Munxar went again close to scoring but an attempt directly from a free kick by Jordi Parnis ended just high.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic