Relegation strugglers Oratory earn a precious point

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium

Kercem A : 1 (M. Mifsud 65’)

B. Vrndic, M. Tabone, J.P. Mizzi, J. Grech (A. Zammit), N. Mercieca, M. Mifsud, A. Haska, M. Perisic, D. Chaves Flores (D. Cassar), E. Vella, A. Mizzi.

Oratory Y : 1 (G.B. Mfulwane 19’)

C. Mercieca, S. Azzopardi, R.E. Okpokwu, M. Buttigieg, J. Buttigieg (A. Zammit), K. Farrugia, J. Polo Longarela, S. Mbacke, G.B. Mfulwane, J. Attard (K. Grima), D. Azzopardi.

Kercem Ajax and Oratory Youths earned a point each from a draw of two goals in a match where Kercem were seeking to regain some pride after a series of disappointing results, while Oratory needed points in their attempt to move away from the bottom place on the table.  At the end the final score satisfied the Ajax more as they managed to obtain a positive result and retained their fourth place on the standings.  Oratory on the other hand failed to obtain their objective mainly because they failed to capitalise form the scoring opportunities so that they remained at the same position on the table.

In the second minute of play Kercem protested for a penalty when Alen Haska ended on the floor in the area when challenged by an opponent and on 15 Oratory replied with a shot by Joshua Buttigieg that ended wide.  The Youths opened the score on 12 minutes when Ralph Ebube Okpokwu released Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane who controlled well and netted with a low drive.  Kercem replied on 32 minutes with a shot by Andrew Mizzi that ended high and on 39 minutes Oratory could have doubled the score but a good shot by Ralph Ebube Okpokwu was well saved by goalie Branko Vrndic.

Kercem were more offensive in their play after the break and on 48 minutes a free kick by Elton Vella was saved to a corner by goalie Courtney Mercieca.  Three minutes later Kercem’s Daniel Chaves Flores received a ball in the area but hesitated to conclude so that Oratory’s goalie blocked the danger.  Oratory replied on 57 minutes when Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane released Ralph Ebube Okpokwu but the latter had his shot from an ideal position that was blocked by the goalkeeper.  Kercem scored the equaliser on 65 minutes through a lob by Mario Mifsud that ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.  Four minutes later Kercem were again dangerous but an effort by Nathaniel Mercieca following a cross by Andrew Mizzi ended just wide.  As time passed by the Youths became more dangerous in their counter breaks but the strikers were often erratic in their finishing.  On 72 minutes Oratory’s Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane had a shot that was neutralised by goalie Branko Vrndic and onn76 minutes Kercem had a free kick by Daniel Chaves Flores that ended high.  One minutes later Oratory’s Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane entered Kercem’s territory but once again the striker failed to conclude in his first opportunity and at the end his attempt was blocked by defender Nathaniel Mercieca.  Kercem’s goalie was again at the right place on 80 minutes to turn to a corner another effort by Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane following a pass by Ralph Ebube Okpokwu.  Oratory’s last opportunity to clinch the victory arrived in 83 minutes but substitute Kersten Grima concluded over the crossbar form a good position.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri