Oratory win direct clash and remain in the tussle for promotion

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II

MATCH DETAILS

Kercem Ajax Stadium – 12 January 2019

Qala S FC : 0

Xuereb, S. Sillato, C. Gafa (M. Pace), F. Mumford (J. Mifsud), C. Dingli, O. Farrugia, M. Buttigieg (R. Grima), E. Cordina, D. Bellotti, F. Zeqiri, J. Buttigieg.

Oratory Y FC : 2 (S. Curmi 58’, C. Carvalho Da Silva 86’)

Sammut, G. Attard, N. Attard, J. Azzopardi, E. Buttigieg (F. Cini), J. Attard (P. Said), K. Farrugia, S. Azzopardi, O. Mercieca (K. Grima), S. Curmi, C. Carvalho Da Silva.

MATCH REPORT

Oratory Youths scored two goals during the second period and obtained an important win over Qala Saints so that they retained their opportunity to be among the challengers for promotion.  This was the last match of the second round for the two sides and they were both aiming for a win as they were on equal points before this encounter. With this result Oratory also took revenge for the defeat conceded in the match against Qala of the first round.

Oratory saw more of the ball during the first half as they had the wind blowing in their favour but they failed to capitalise from their territorial supremacy as Qala were well organised and protected their area.  Qala also produced the first scoring opportunity of the match in the first minute of play through a direct free kick by Fatos Zeqiri that ended just wide. Oratory were unlucky on 22 minutes when a direct free kick by Manuel Buttigieg hit the crossbar and on 33 minutes oratory’s Claudio Carvalho Da Silva headed badly following a cross by Manuel Buttigieg and Qala’s keeper Omar Xuereb neutralised the danger without difficulty.  Seven minutes later Oratory’s Keith Farrugia entered Qala’s area with a personal action but his shot was well saved by goalie Omar Xuereb.

Qala seemed more determined after the break and on 55 minutes Oratory’s keeper Richard Sammut was well placed to neutralise a shot by Martin Buttigieg.  Oratory however opened the score following a counter break that arrived on 58 minutes when Sintayehu Curmi entered Qala’s area, had his attempt partially saved by goalie Omar Xuereb and the same goalkeeper clear the ball before Carvalho Da Silva could conclude, but the same Curmi followed the action, took the ball and placed easily into an open goal with a low drive.  Qala had an immediate reaction and three minutes later Oratory’s goalie Richard Sammut turned with difficulty to a corner a free kick by Dylan Bellotti. On 71 minutes Qala’s Dylan Bellotti headed wide from a good position following a cross by Oliver Farrugia. Two minutes later the same Bellotti had an attempt form outside the area that missed the target and on 78 minutes Qala’s Fatos Zeqiri had an attempt that was deflected by goalie Richard Sammut and the ball hit the crossbar.  Qala were punished for the missed chances as Oratory sealed the win with the second goal that arrived on 86 minutes through a low shot from an unmarked position by Claudio Carvalho Da Silva after receiving form substitute Kersten Grima.

Referee: Joe Azzopardi