Sannat end the second round as joint leaders

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II

MATCH DETAILS

Kercem Ajax Stadium – 12 January 2019

Sannat L FC : 3 (E.R. Okpokwu 3’, 50’ 60’)

Mercieca (M. Farrugia), M. Portelli, F. Camilleri, J. Buttigieg, J. Zammit, E.R. Okpokwu, D. Borg, B. Said, E. Gauci (S. Mizzi), M. Mifsud (C. Mifsud), F.J. Xuereb.

Zebbug R FC : 0

Saliba, M. Ciangura, M. Formosa, G. Portelli, O. Calleja, L. Farrugia, M. Peres Vega, J. Grech, E. Xuereb (L. Meilak), J. Azzopardi, P. Camilleri (A. Buttigieg).

MATCH REPORT

Sannat Lions registered the double over bottom placed Zebbug Rovers and earned three deserved points form a convincing win that matured with goals scored during the second period.  This was the last match of the second round and Sannat needed a win to end the first half of the campaign sharing the top position with Xaghra United. Sannat paved the way to the win with an early goal and made sure to win the full points at stake with more goals scored after the break.  The main protagonist in this match was Sannat’s striker Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who scored a hat-trick and consolidated his position as the top scorer of the category with 15 goals.

Sannat as expected came out more determined and had an excellent start as they opened the score in the third minute of play through a header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a corner kick by Matthew Portelli.  Sannat kept insisting and on 14 minutes they could have doubled the score but Joseph Zammit hit badly from close distance so that the ball ended wide.  One minute later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba saved a low shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu and Zebbug replied on 17 minutes through a free kick by Marcos Peres Vega that was partially saved by goalie Courtney Mercieca and form the rebound Sannat’s defender Josiah Buttigieg cleared the danger to a corner.  Sannat were again dangerous on 19 minutes but a strike by Mario Mifsud ended just high and two minutes later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba blocked a low shot by Matthew Portelli and defender Johnny Grech cleared the danger form the area. On 36 minutes Sannat’s debutant Brandon Said following some hesitation by Zebbug’s defence at the edge of the area ended just wide and two minutes later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba was well placed to neutralise an attempt by Joseph Zammit.  The same goalkeeper was again called to save a low shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu one minute later and on 44 minutes Sannat’s Joseph Zammit had a shot on the run after receiving from Ebube Ralph Okpokwu that ended away from Zebbug’s goal.

After the break Sannat continued to express the better play and doubled the score on 55 minutes when Matthew Portelli released Ebube Ralph Okpokwu in the midfield, the latter entered the area and avoided the goalkeeper before placing easily into an open goal.  Zebbug replied on 52 minutes through a free kick by Marcos Peres Vega that ended wide and on the hour mark Sannat scored their third goal when Matthew Portelli unmarked Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who netted as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.  On 66 minutes Sannat’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was well placed to neutralise a free kick by Matthion Formosa.  Four minutes later Sannat went again close to s coring when a low shot by Joseph Zammit was partially saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and from the rebound Brandon Said’s attempt was stopped by the crossbar so that the score remained unchanged.

Referee: George Portelli