Xewkija Tigers earn three precious points which keeps them in the race for the title

19 March 2020
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – MD 13 Gozo Stadium

SK Victoria Wanderers : 1
Xewkija Tigers FC : 4

13’ (0-1) Jackson De Lima
37’ (0-2) Claudio Antunes Pavlidis
50’ (0-3) Michael Camilleri
60’ (1-3) Njongo Doding Priso
88’ (1-4) Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior

SK Victoria W:

G. Ratto, A.G. Attard (K. Grima), I. Misan, N. Doding Priso, S. Dimech (N. Vella), S. Harland, E. Zammit, O. Curmi, M. Bamba, D.U. Monday, A. Adesina (E. Bugeja).

Xewkija T:

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

Xewkija Tiogers earned a win over relegation strugglers SK Victoria Wanderers with the same score of the win that the Tigers registered over the Wanderers in the match between the two sides of the first round. In this match Xewkija confirmed a good moment of form and showed their intention to remain the main challengers for the title to the current leaders on the table. Xewkija’s win matured with two goals scored in each half but the victory could have been with a larger margin as they had two other attempts that were stopped by the woodwork.

Timeline:
During the opening minutes of the encounter Xewkija were more offensive and as a result the Wanderers were forced to adopt a defensive deployment.
9’ Xewkija created the first serious scoring opportunity through a shot by Jackson De Lima that was partially saved by Victoria’s keeper Giacomo Ratto. From the resultant rebound Xewkija’s Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior saw his close ranged attempt that was also blocked by the same goalkeeper and at the end the shot by Claudio Frances ended wide.
12’ SK Victoria Wanderers replied through an shot from the edge of the area by Sam Harland that was easily saved by goalie Mark Grima.
13’ (0-1) Xewkija opened the score through a spectacular shot from long distance by Jackson De Lima that ended out of the reach of Victoria’s keeper and with the ball hitting the crossbar before ending in goal.
19’ SK Victoria Wanderers could have capitalised better when Njongo Doding Priso won the ball inside Xewkija’s area but his lob over the goalkeeper who was out of his position was cleared from the goalmouth by central defender Manwel Xerri.
20’ In another dangerous action by Xewkija a strike by Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior ended wide.
23’ The Wanderers threatened Xewkija’s defence when Sam Harland passed inside the area but his low cross was not followed by strikers Steve Dimech and Doding Priso so that Xewkija’s defence cleared the danger.
26’ Xewkija went again close to scoring through a header by Claudio Antunes following a cross by Manwel Xerri that ended wide.
28’ The Tigers were also unlucky as a cross-shot by Jackson De Lima was stopped by the crossbar.
33’ Xewkija protested for a penalty following a challenge by Victoria’s Ajibade Adesina on Claudio Antunes.
37’ (0-2) Xewkija doubled the score through a first time from close distance by Claudio Antunes following a low cross form the right flank by Michael Camilleri.
HT (0-2)

After the resumption Xewkija continued to dictate matters.
5’ (0-3) Xewkija increased their lead through a close ranged header by Michael Camilleri following a cross from the left flank by Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior.
7’ Xewkija’s Manwel Xerri had a shot following a personal action that ended wide.
9’ Victoria’s goalie Giacomo Ratto was called to make a difficult save to block a strike from outside the area by Joseph Mario Vella.
10’ Xewkija were again unlucky when an attempt form an ideal position by Claudio Antunes hit the crossbar.
14’ Xewkija had a good opportunity from a free kick but the attempt by Claudio Frances ended wide.
15’ (1-3) SK Victoria Wanderers reduced the deficit when Sam Harland passed to an unmarked Njongo Doding Priso inside Xewkija’s area and the latter placed easily in goal as he was face to face with Xewkija’s keeper.
23’ SK Victoria Wanderers could have re-opened the issue when Sam Harland entered Xewkija’s territory, turned around the goalkeeper but the lob towards goal by Victoria’s striker was cleared from the goalmouth by Joseph Mario Vella.
43’ (1-4) Xewkija sealed the win by scoring the fourth goal that arrived through an initiative by Michael Camilleri who turned around three direct opponents and passed to Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior and the latter concluded with a low shot towards the far post.
FT (SKVW 1 – XT 4)

Referee: Jason Portelli