Xewkija Tigers clinch win with second half goals

DETAILS

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
MD 5 Kercem Ajax Stadium – 23 November 2019

Xewkija Tigers FC: 2
Xaghra United FC: 0

62’ (1-0) Jackson De Lima
87’ (2-0) Rodney Buttigieg

Xewkija T:

Grima, M. Tabone, J.M. Vella, J. De Lima, R. Buttigieg (J. Camilleri), J.C. Nogueira Junior (C. Antunes Pavlidis), M. Hrubsa, M. Camilleri (D. Mercieca), C.D. Frances, M. Xerri, C. Hili.

Xaghra U:

Xuereb, K. Martins Ribeiro, D. Bajada, S. Galea (S. Bonello), J.G. Vella, R.O. Dos Santos, A. Gonzalo Lago (R. De Souza Ferreira), M. Mamo, S.F. Bajada, G. Farrugia (J. Buttigieg), L.A. De Melo Lima.

SUMMARY

Xewkija Tigers scored two goals after the break in their match against relegation strugglers Xaghra United and remain undefeated in the championship after five matches.  With this result Xewkija remain the closest contenders to Nadur Youngsters in the race for the title. Xaghra, who showed great improvement since their previous match in the championship, managed to be serious challengers to the more quoted opponents during the first half but after the break they lacked experience and suffered Xewkija’s play.  In this match Xewkija confirmed the strong potential of the team including the substitutes. Xewkija have quality players that allowed their coach to modify the deployment during the encounter to increase their pressure on Xaghra’s defence and also allowed the possibility to reshape their attack to surprise Xaghra’s rear guard.

TIMELINE

Xewkija found it difficult to take command of play during the first period and for most of the time Xaghra managed to be serious challengers.

4’ Xaghra’s keeper Lorjen Xuereb was almost surprised following a free kick by Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior and the ball ended in a corner.

10’ The same goalkeeper save with difficulty a free kick by Jackson De Lima with the aid of the post and the defence cleared the danger.

25’  Xewkija’s Claudio Frances passed to Jackson De Lima but the latter had his shot aimed towards goa,l that was blocked in time by the defence.

26’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a shot on the run by Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior that missed the target.

28’ Xewkija should have concluded better when Michael Camilleri received a ball inside the area in an unmarked position but the striker saw his lob that ended over the crossbar.

38’ Xaghra went very close to surprise their opponents when Luis Andre De Melo Lima controlled the ball inside Xewkija’s area among protest by Xewkija’s players alleging handling by the striker, and from the resultant action the Brazilian striker had his shot that was cleared off the goalmouth by Rodney Buttigieg when the goalkeeper was beaten.  Xaghra regained possession from the clearance and Ander Gonzalo ended on the floor inside the area when he tried to pass through the defence but Xaghra’s protests for a penalty were to no avail.

HT (0-0)

Xewkija took full command of play from the initial stages of the second period.

12’ Xewkija protested for a penalty alleging handling when a header by Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior following a cross by Jackson De Lima was blocked by the defence.

17’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the score through a close ranged shot by Jackson De Lima following a cross by Claudio Frances that surprised Xaghra’s defence.

22’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a low cross by Jackson De Lima but Rodney Buttigieg failed to connect.

29’ Xaghra continued to suffer Xewkija’s play.  Xewkija’s substiute Claudio Antunes passed through Xaghra’s defnece with a personal action but his attempt when the goalkeeper was out of his position ended just high.

42’ (2-0) Xewkija sealed the victory when Jackson De Lima produced a personala ction wbut ended on the floor just outsid ethe area.  The referee applied the advanatge and from the same action Claudio Antunes released Rodney Buttigieg who placed in goal with a low drive.

FT (2-0)

Referee: Mario Apap