Okpokwu leads Sannat back to the top spot

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II

MATCH DETAILS

Kercem Ajax Stadium – 10 November 2018

Zebbug R FC : 1 (M.P. Vega 27’)

Saliba, M. Ciangura, G. Portelli, O. Calleja, L. Meilaq, A. Zammit, L. Farrugia, M.P. Vega, C. Vella, A. Buttigieg (M. Formosa), R. Meilak (J. Grech).

Sannat L FC : 6 (K. Bonnici 12’, E.R. Okpokwu 33’, 57’, 66’, 79’; M. Ciangura 51’o.g.)

Mercieca, S. Mizzi, N. Micallef, F. Camilleri, J. Buttigieg, E.R. Okpokwu, E. Gauci, K. Bonnici (M. Portelli), M. Mifsud (S. Azzopardi), C. Tabone (I. Mampalao), F.J. Xuereb.

MATCH REPORT

Sannat Lions regained sole leadership of the table at the end of the first round of the campaign with the points obtained from a handsome 6-1 win over bottom placed Zebbug Rovers.  The match was well contested during the first half as the two sides shared play and both created some good scoring opportunities. However, Sannat dominated throughout the second period and scored four goals so that they made sure of the win well before the end of the encounter.  Sannat’s striker Ebube Ralph Okpokwu was the main protagonist of the match as he scored four personal goals and created the action that ended up with a Zebbug defender committing an own goal.

The first serious attempt at goal of the match arrived from the Rovers on 10 minutes, but a shot on the run by Luke Meilak ended high.  Sannat opened the score two minutes later through a fine shot by Kenneth Bonnici who concluded in goal a cross by Charlon Tabone.  Minutes later Sannat went again close to scoring but Zebbug’s goalie was well placed to neutralize an effort by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu. Zebbug were not demoralized and on 27 minutes they levelled the score with a fine strike by Marcos Peres Vega that ended out of the reach of Sannat’s keeper.  Five minute later Zebbug could have turned the result in their favour but a shot by Luke Meilak from a good position missed the target.  Sannat regained the lead on 33 minutes when a strike by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu surprised Zebbug’s goalie.  The Rovers went close to level the score on 41 minutes but a header by Marcos Peres Vega following a cross by Christian Vella was partially saved by goalie Courtney Mercieca and the defense cleared the danger from the area.  Just before half time Sannat were again dangerous but a direct free kick by Mario Mifsud was well saved by Zebbug’s keeper.

On 51 minutes Sannat added another goal when  Zebbug’s defender Marco Ciangura hot badly in an attempt to clear the ball following a shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu and ended up committing an own goal.  Zebbug were demoralised and on 57 minutes Sannat’s Ebube Ralph Okpokwu made it 4-1 with a low shot following a personal action.  The match lost much of the interest as Zebbug failed to produce a reaction so that Sannat continued to administer play until the end of the match and their striker Ebube Ralph Okpokwu continued to impress with his play and also added two more goals that arrived on 66 minutes through a close ranged shot following a corner kick by substitute Matthew Portelli; and on 79 minutes with another strike following a cross by the same Portelli.

Referee: Luke Xuereb