Munxar turn a defeat into a win

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Xaghra U : 1 (S. Bonello 40’)

F. Azzopardi, S. Galea, D. Bajada, M.Galea, S. Bonello, G. Farrugia, J. Bajada, M. Janjus, J, Xiberras, C. Hili, A. Xiberras.

Munxar F : 3 (S. Muscat 45+3’, M. Matthias Uzor 67’, 88’)

L. Xuereb, B. Meilak, K. Borg, M. Debrincat, P. Parnis (F. Attard), C. Bugeja, S. Muscat, R. Meilak, J. Parnis (P. Rapa), M. Matthias Uzor, P. Said (J. Grima).

In the last match from match-day 13 of the campaign Munxar Falcons came from behind to win the three points at stake from their match against Xaghra United.  The Falcons entered the field of play as favourites to win the match against the team occupying the second place from the bottom on the table. However, Xaghra surprised their more quoted opponents and saw more of the ball during the first period.  Xaghra took a deserved lead but Munxar levelled the score just before half time.  After the break Xaghra continued to be very erratic in their finishing while Munxar capitalised from their experience and clinched the victory by scoring on two occasions following counter breaks.  Before the kick-off of the match Munxar’s veteran player Brian Meilak was presented by a memento for becoming the Maltese player who played the most competitive matches.  This match was Brian Meilak’s first match as a record holder since he established the record of 624 matches in his career during Munxar’s previous match.

In the second minute of play Munxar had a goal scored by Paul Said that was disallowed for an offside and on 5 minutes Xaghra’s defender Manuel Galea cleared the ball from the area in time to avoid that a cross by Jordi Parnis arrives to an unmarked Michael Matthias Uzor.  Xaghra were not demoralised by Munxar’s aggressive start and on 7 minutes they replied with a good shot by Clayton Hili that was saved to a corner by goalie Lorjen Xuereb.  In another good action by Xaghra on 15 minutes a header by Milorad Janjus following a cross by Gabriel Farruia ended just high and on 36 minutes a low shot by Gabriel Farrigia ended just wide from Munxar’s goal.  Less than a minute later Xaghra lost a good scoring opportunity when a shot by Clayton Hili after receiving form Johann Bajada ended high.  Xaghra took the deserved lead on 40 minutes when Munxar’s rear guard cleared a free kick by Gabriel Farrugia and the ball arrived to Silvan Bonello who placed in goal with a low strike.  Two minutes later Munxar’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was called to make a good save following a shot by Milorad Janjus and in the third minute of stoppage time Munxar clinched the equaliser against the run of play through a direct free kick by Samuel Muscat.

Play became more balanced after the resumption.  On 55 minutes Xaghra’s Silvan Bonello had a header following a free kick by Gabriel Farrugia that ended high and Munxar replied two minutes later through a shot by Paul Said that was blocked by defender Manuel Galea.  Two minutes after the hour mark a shot by Xaghra’s Adrian Xiberras following a personal action ended high and on 65 minutes Munxar’s Samuel Muscat had an attempt directly from a free kick that was saved to a corner by goalie Frankie Azzopardi.  Munxar turned the result in their favour two minutes later through a header by Michael Matthis Uzor following a cross by Jordi Parnis that surprised Xaghra’s defence.  Xaghra had an immediate reply and in the following action Munxar’s keeper Lorjean Xuereb made a difficult intervention to save to a corner a header by Silvan Bonello following a free kick by Gabriel Farrugia.  The same goalkeeper was well placed on 72 minutes to save to another corner a good shot by Clayton Hili, while Munxar were again dangerous on 86 minutes when a shot by Samuel Muscat was topped by the post.  Munxar made sure of the three points with the third goal that arrived on 88 minutes through a close ranged shot by Michael Mathias Uzor after receiving a cross from substitute Joseph Grima.  Xaghra were shocked and in the remaining minutes Munxar could have added another goal but a shot by Michael Matthias Uzor in the fifth minute of stoppage time was saved to a corner by goalie Frankie Farrugia.  Xaghra’s best opportunity to score their second goal arrived in the ninth minute of stoppage time through a free kick by Milorad Janjus that ended over the crossbar.

Referee: Eucharist Portelli