Zebbug end the league with a win

MATCH DETAILS

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II

Gozo Stadium – 13 April 2019

Qala S FC : 2 (O. Farrugia 68’, 82’)

Xuereb, S. Sillato, C. Gafa’, C. Dingli, O. Farrugia, M. Buttigieg (M. Cefai), A. Komljenovic, J. Buttigieg, M. Vella (B.L. Sammut), M. Pace, A.A. Xerri (I. Ahmed).

Zebbug R FC : 4 (M. Formosa 28’, L. Meilak 51’, 66’; F. Kosova 81’)

Saliba, M. Ciangura, C. Farrugia, M. Formosa, O. Calleja, L. Meilaq, L. Farrugia (E. Xuereb), A. Buttigieg (C. Vella), F. Kosova, J. Grech, J. Azzopardi (M. Borg).  

MATCH REPORT

Zebbug Rovers registered a 4-2 win over Qala Saints in the last match of the campaign for the two sides so that the Rovers managed to defend their fifth placing on the final standings that they achieved in their previous match.  On the other hand with this result Qala ended the league at the bottom of the table, four points less than the same Zebbug. The match between Zebbug and Qala was practically a direct clash between two sides who were aiming to avoid the bottom place on the final standings at the end of a disappointing campaign.  Bothe Zebbug and Qala had intention to be more competitive in the league match but they both failed to be consistent and very often that both compromised results due to lack of experience and serious commitment. In this match Zebbug paved the way to the win with two goals scored during the first hour of the match so that Qala ended up demoralised and only managed to make the score respectable by scoring on two occasions when the outcome was practically determined.

Qala came out more determined and held command of play during the first part of the encounter.  However, Zebbug resisted well and also operated some counter breaks but the actions at the two ends of the field of play were very rear.  The first serious attempt at goal arrived form Qala’s Aleksandar Komljenovic who had a low shot form the edge of the area that was well saved by Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba.  One minute late Zebbug replied with a shot by Franci Kosova that was partially saved by goalie Omar Xuereb and from the rebound the defence blocked a good shot by Lucas Farrugia to a corner.  Zebbug opened the score on 28 minutes through a header by Matthion Formosa following a corner kick by Marco Ciangura.  On 33 minutes Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba left his area to clear the ball in time a through pass by Samuel Sillato that was aimed to reach an unmarked Oliver Farrugia.  Qaa went again close to level the score on 39 minutes but a low shot by Aleksandar Komljenovic ended on the side of the net.

Zebbug were in a better shape after the break and managed to double the score on 51 minutes when Luke Meilaq controlled well a cross by Marco Ciangura and fired easily in goal.  On 55 minutes Zebbug’s keeper was called to make a good save to turn to a corner an attempt by Samuel Sillato.  On 63 minutes the Rovers were dangerous through an effort by Franci Kosova that was well saved by goalie Omar Xuereb.  On 66 minutes Zebbug added another goal when Franci Kosova unmarked Luke Meilaq who concluded in goal with a low drive.  Two minutes later Qala reduced the score with a fine shot by Oliver Farrugia after receiving form Christopher Gafa’.  The same Farrugia produced a good move on 79 minutes and passed to Aleksandar Komljenovic but the latter had his attempt blocked by goalie Baskal Saliba.  Zebbug scored the fourth goal on 81 minutes when Franci Kosova entered Qala’s territory with a personal action and netted with a low drive.  Qala scored their second goal on 82 minutes with a long ranged shot by Oliver Farrugia that surprised goalie Baskal Saliba.  The two sides continued to produce other scoring opportunities.  On 87 minutes a shot by Christian Dingli from a good position m missed the target and on 89 minutes Zebbug had a good shot by substitute Elijah Xuereb that was partially saved by goalie Omar Xuereb and from the resultant action Johnny Grech crossed inside Qala’s area but the deflection by substitute Matthew Borg ended on the base of the post.  Qala had their last opportunity to score another goal on 90 minutes through a strike by Samuel Sillato ended high.

Referee: Hristos Palikarov