Second consecutive win for Oratory

GFA Gozo Football League Division II

MATCH DETAILS

Kercem Ajax Stadium – 23 September 2018

Zebbug R FC : 1 (M. Peres Vega 81’pen)

Saliba, M. Ciangura, M. Formosa (C. Farrugia), G. Portelli, O. Calleja, L. Meilaq (E. Xuereb), A. Zammit, L. Farrugia, M. Peres Vega, C. Vella (P. Spiteri), R. Meilak.

Oratory Y FC : 4 (T.M.F. Dos Santos 32’, 35’pen., 45+1’, 73’)

Sammut, J. Azzopardi, E. Buttigieg, G. Grech (A. Zammit), K. Grima, P. Said (S. Curmi), F. Cini, A.T. Bezzina, T.M.F. Dos Santos, O. Saliba (N. Attard).

MATCH REPORT

Oratory Youths confirmed the positive performance expressed in their first match of the league with a convincing win over Zebbug Rovers in the second match of the campaign.  The match was well contested during the opening half hour of play but the Youths took command of play as they opened the score and held control of play after the break when they were playing with an extra player on the field.  The protagonist for Oratory was Brazilian striker Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos who scored the four goals for his side.

Zebbug had a good scoring opportunity in the second minute of play but a direct free kick by Marcos Peres Vega ended just over the crossbar.  Oratory replied on 15 minutes through a free kick by Paul Said that was neutralised by goalie Baskal Saliba. Play for most of the first half took place in the midfield but on 32 minutes Oratory broke the deadlock through Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos who took the ball inside Zebbug’s area following some hesitation by the defense and netted with a fine shot despite being in an angled position.  Zebbug replied two minutes later but a strike by Ryan Meilak was well saved by goalie Richard Sammut. On 35 minutes the Youths were awarded a penalty for a foul by Omar Calleja on Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos and the same striker converted from the spot kick to make it 2-0 for his side.  On 45 minutes Oratory operated a counter break but Thiago Dos Santos was floored just before entering the area by Omar Calleja.  Zebbug’s defender was sent off and Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos netted direct from the resultant free kick with the ball hitting the crossbar before ending in goal.

Oratory came out with more confidence after the break and seemed in a position to control their comfortable lead with authority.  As time passed by Zebbug became frustrated as their efforts with ten players were not producing any danger to Oratory’s keeper. However, Zebbug could have reduced the deficit on 62 minutes but an effort by Christian Vella following a corner action was cleared from the goalmouth by Oratory’s Kersten Grima.  Zebbug created another good scoring opportunity on 69 minutes but a header by substitute Elijah Xuereb following a free kick by Marcos Peres Vega was partially saved by the goalkeeper Richard Sammut and from the rebound Lucas Farrugia’s header was well saved by the same goalie. Minutes later Oratory’s Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos entered Zebbug’s area but failed to conclude from an ideal position.  However, on 73 minutes Thiago Melo Figuerero Dos Santos made up for his previous mistake and scored the fourth goal with a low shot following a personal action.  Zebbug scored their consolation goal on 81 minutes when the referee ordered a penalty for a foul on Christian Vella and Marcos Peres Vega converted from the spot kick.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic