Ghajnsielem, Xewkija share the spoils

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium

Ghajnsielem FC : 1 (L.A. De Melo Lima 45+1’)

J. Grech, I. Belhadj, D. Mercieca, L.A. De Melo Lima, K. Mercieca, J.G. Vella, A.Oularbi, D. Hili, A. Xuereb, M.A. Morgon Filho, J.J. Sandobal Guarin. 

Xewkija T : 1 (C. Antunes 58’)

F. Vella, D. Sakic, M. Xerri, O. Xuereba (T. Vella), G. Hili, J.M. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, Jo. Cefai (M. Gauci), J. Azzopardi, H.T. Barbosa Honorato (Js. Cefai), C. Antunes.

Ghajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers earned a point each from a draw of two goals in as match where the two sides prevailed over each other for a half each.  Ghajnsielem needed points to consolidate their safe place on the table and increase their gap from the relegation zone, while Xewkija were aiming to recover from the disappointing defeat conceded in their previous match and to regain some confidence prior to their commitments in the matches from the Knock Out competition and the GFA cup.  The final result at the end did not satisfy either side but it was also a just reward for the efforts expressed by the teams on the field of play.

The Blacks created the first serious scoring opportunity in the fourth minute through a free kick by Marco Antonio Morgon Filho that ended high and on 13 minutes Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when a shot by Joseph Vella following an action by Ali Oularbi was blocked by the defence.  Xewkija replied one minute later through a shot by Claudio Antunes that was deflected to a corner and on 19 minutes Ghajnsielem were again dangerous as Marco Antonio Morgon Filho entered the area with a personal action but his attempt was well saved by goalie Franklin Vella.  Ghajnsielem protested again for another penalty on 29 minutes when Xewkija’s rear guard cleared with some difficulty from the area a cross from the right flank and from the same action Damon Hili’s shot ended on the roof of the net.  On 37 minutes Xewlkija’s keeper Franklin Vella was well placed to neutralise an effort by Marco Antonio Morgon Filho and one minute later a header by Xewkija’s Claudio Antunes form a corner action ended high.  On 40 minutes Ghajnsielem produced a dangerous action through Alberto Xuereb but Xewkija’s Omar Xuereb had an excellent recovery and clear the ball from the danger zone before the striker could conclude towards goal.  Ghajnsielem were rewarded for their supremacy expressed during the first half in the first minute of stoppage time before half time when Jhon Jairo Sandobal Guarin avoided the offside as Xewkija’s defence was trying to move out of the area, and headed towards an unmarked Luis Andre De Melo Lima who placed easily in goal from close distance.

The same striker created another good scoring opportunity within the first minute of play of the second period but his shot from a good position ended wide.  Xewkija soon increased their efforts and managed to level the score on 58 minutes through a header by Claudio Antunes following a free kick from long distance by Daniel Bogdanovic.  Four minutes later Xewkija’s Manwel Xerri had a good strike that was well saved by goalie Joseph Grech and in the following minutes Xewkija maintained territorial supremacy but failed to capitalise form their chances.  On 75 minutes substitute Thomas Vella released Halleson Thiago Barbosa Honorato inside Ghajnsielem’s area but the latter’s shot was weak and goalie Joseph Grech saved without difficulty.  Four minutes later Ghajnsielem replied through a shot by Marco Antonio Morgon Filho that was neutralised by Xewkija’s keeper and on 82 minutes a first timer by Xewkija’s Manwel Xerri following a cross by Thomas Vella ended just wide.  The same Vella operated a good action on 89 minutes and entered Ghajnsielem’s area but his effort was well saved by the goalkeeper.  Ghajnsilem tried to clinch the victory during the dying moments of the encounter but on 90 minutes a header by Joseph Vella from close distance was cleared to a corner by substitute Manwel Gauci and in the first minute of stoppage time a strike by Ali Oularbi was well saved by Xewkija’s keeper Franklin Vella.

Referee: Stefan Pace