Ghajnsielem turn a defeat into a win and keep the challenge for the third spot

28 February 2020
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – MD 14 Gozo Stadium

Ghajnsielem FC : 3
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 1

19’ (0-1) Christian Mercieca
45’ (penalty missed – saved) Igor Nedeljkovic (GHJ)
45’ (1-1) Igor Nedeljkovic
76’ (2-1) Igor Nedeljkovic
90’ (red card) Elton Da Silva (VH)
90+2’ (3-1) Michael Bezzina

Ghajnsielem FC:
F. Vella, J. Tabone, A. Agyeman (N. Stojanovic), Al. Xuereb, M. Bezzina, An. Xuereb, J. Arboleda Valencia, K. Grima, I. Behadj (K. Farrugia), D. Bogdanovic, I. Nedeljkovic.

Victoria H:
D. Galea, K. Borg, S. Nayar, L. Grima, E.M. Sidqy, C. Mercieca, J. Pace (S.P. Bajada), A. Mizzi, J. Bajada, H. De Souza Maciel (E.P. Lattes), E.A. Da Silva.

Ghajnsielem earned an important win over Victoria Hotspurs and with the points obtained they reduced their gap from the same Hotspurs on the table so that the teams remain in contention for the third spot on the table. The match was well contested where each side prevailed over the other for a half each. The Hotspurs held command of play for most of the first half but they found it very difficult to convert their territorial supremacy in goals so that they ended up conceding the equaliser on the stroke of half time and also conceded Ghajnsielem’s play throughout the second period. As a result Ghajnsielem’s win was deserved and they were also rewarded for their determination to make up for the defeat conceded in their previous match of the championship. In this win, their striker Igor Nedeljkovic scored a brace and consolidated his leadership as the top scorer of the championship with twenty goals from fourteen matches.

Timeline:
The Hotspurs tried to take command of play from the first minutes of play.
2’ Ghajnsielem created the first scoring opportunity when Jhon Arboleda Valencia passed to Ishmael Belhadj but the latter had his first-timer that ended high.
As time passed by Victoria increased their pressure on Ghajnsielem’s defence but the Blacks managed to keep their area clear from danger.
19’ (0-1) Victoria Hotspurs opened the score when Elton Da Silva released Christian Mercieca and the latter entered Ghajnsielem’s area and placed in goal when he came face to face with the goalkeeper.
41’ Victoria had another opportunity to score but a low shot addressed to the far post by Christian Mercieca, after receiving from Elton Da Silva, ended wide.
44’ (1-1) penalty – Ghajnsielem levelled the score when Jhon Arboleda Valencia entered Victoria’s territory but ended on the floor inside the area following a challenge by defender Jason Pace. The referee awarded a penalty and Igor Nedeljkovic had his shot from the spot-kick that was partially saved by goalie Daniel Galea and from the rebound, the same striker took the ball and placed easily in goal.
45+2’ Victoria could have regained the lead but a header by Elton Da Silva following a corner kick by Jason Pace ended wide.
HT (1-1)

The match became much more interesting after the break as the two sides seemed determined to obtain a win from this encounter. However, the Blacks gained control of play midway through the second half and produced more danger than their opponents.
21’ Victoria’s keeper Daniel Galea saved with difficulty to a corner a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic.
22’ Ghajnsielem were again dangerous through another free-kick by player-coach Daniel Bogdanovic but the defence deflected the ball to a corner.
23’ From the same corner action taken by Daniel Bogdanovic, Victoria’s goalie failed to take the ball but a header by Jhon Arboleda Valencia was cleared from the goalmouth by defender Sebastian Nayar.
24’ Ghajnsielem protested for a penalty when Victoria’s keeper Daniel Galea challenged Ghajnsielem’s Igor Nedeljkovic but the referee ordered a free-kick just outside the area.
30’ Ghajnsielem’s keeper Franklin Vella was called to make a difficult save to neutralise in two attempts a shot by substitute Emiliano Lattes following a prolonged action within Ghajnsielem’s area.
31’ (2-1) Ghajnsielem turned the result in their favour when Victoria’s defence cleared badly a free-kick from long distance by Daniel Bogdanovic and the ball arrived to an unmarked Igor Nedeljkovic who placed in goal from a close distance.
36’ Victoria Hotspurs tried to produce an immediate reaction but a free kick by Elton Da Silva was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.
36’ Ghajnsielem replied in the following action through a counter break by Alberto Xuereb but the latter saw his effort that was saved in two attempts by Victoria’s keeper Daniel Galea.
45’ (red card) Victoria Hotspurs were reduced to ten players when Elton Da Silva was sent off for a second bookable offence received for a foul on Kurt Grima.
45+1’ Ghajnsielem could have added another goal but a shot from an ideal position by Igor Nedeljkovic ended away from goal.
45+2’ (3-1) Ghajnsielem made sure of the win with the third goal that arrived through an initiative by Jhon Arboleda Valencia who entered the area from the left flank and form his low pass Michael Bezzina concluded in goal from close distance.
FT (GHJ 3 – VH 1 )

Referee: Massimo Axisa