Gharb Rangers re-open their chances to avoid relegation

20 February 2020
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – MD 13 Gozo Stadium

Gharb Rangers FC : 2
Ghajnsielem FC : 1

45’ (1-0) Joseph Grima
58’ (1-1) penalty Daniel Bogdanovic
65’ (2-1) Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes

Gharb R:
D. Spiteri, A. Sultana, J.P. Grima, O.G. Fernandes, P. Djorovic, A. Komljenovic (D. Sakic), P.P. Camilleri, J. Grima (J. Xuereb), S. Sillato, S. Muscat, C.A. Babilonia.

Ghajnsielem FC:
L. Buttigieg, P. Nunez Del Castillo (D. Bogdamovic), A. Agyeman, Al. Xuereb, An. Xuereb, C. Dingli (M. Bezzina), N. Stojanovic, J. Arboleda Valencia, K. Grima, I. Behadj, N.I. Belhadj (K. Farrugia).

Gharb Rangers obtained three very important points from a win with the odd goal from three in their match against Ghajnsielem and pulled with them Xaghra United at the bottom place on the table. With this win Gharb have gained the possibility to remain in contention with other teams to avoid the drop to the lower category next season. This was Gharb’s third win over Ghajnsielem this season as the Rangers obtained a win from the match against the Blacks of the first round of the championship and also earned qualification to the semi-finals of the Knock Out competition for the first division team with a win over the same Ghajnsielem back in November. In this match Gharb were rewarded for their determination as they managed to neutralise Ghajnsielem’s efforts and surprised their more quoted opponents with very effective counter breaks.

Timeline:
Play during the first part of the encounter took place mainly in the midfield as the two defensive departments were in control of the respective strikers. The two teams were also playing without their regular main strikers as Ghajnsielem’s Igor Nedeljkovic and Gharb’s Pablo Vinicius Ferreira were both suspended.
7’ Gharb could have capitalised better but a shot by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes following a short clearance by Ghajnsielem’s defence missed the target.
10’ Gharb once again threatened Ghajnsielem’s rear guard through a lob by Joseph Grima that was neutralised by goalie Luke Buttigieg.
11’ Ghajnsielem crated their first attempt towards Gharb’s goal through a shot by Alberto Xuereb after receiving from Asante Agyeman that ended wide.
16’ Gharb were unlucky as a strike form outside the area by Samwel Muscat was stopped by the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
30’ Ghajnsielem went again close to scoring but a header by Nemanja Stojanovic following a free kick by Alberto Xuereb ended high.
31’ Gharb’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was well placed an d managed to save an attempt form a free kick by Ghajnsielem’s Alberto Xuereb.
36’ Gharb missed a good scoring opportunity when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes failed to connect with the ball following a free kick taken by Samwel Muscat.
45’ (1-0) Gharb opened the score when Aleksandar Komiljenovic unmarked Joseph Grima and the latter entered Ghajnsielem’s area and netted with a low drive from an angled position.
HT (1-0)

Ghajnsielem tried to produce a reaction after the break but Gharb retained their deployment and for most of the time they managed to resist the pressure.
13’ (1-1) penalty – Ghajsnielem managed to level the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Gharb’s Samwel Muscat on Jhon Arboleda Valencia and player-coach Daniel Bogdanovic, who entered the field of play as a substitute for the start of the second period, placed in goal with his shot from the spot kick.
19’ Ghajnsielem could have turned the result in their favour but a shot by Jhon Arboleda Valencia, following a short clearance by the defence from a cross by Alberto Xuereb, ended wide.
20’ (2-1) Ghjansielem were punished for the missed scoring opportunity as Gharb regained the lead following a counter break that ended with a strike by Joseph Grima was partially saved by goalie Luke Buttigieg and from the rebound the ball arrived to an unmarked Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes who netted from close distance.
Ghajnsielem were shocked and their efforts to produce a reaction was sterile.
31’ Gharb were again dangerous but a shot form a good position by Joseph Grima following a personal action ended wide.
36’ Ghajnsielem created their best opportunity to save the result but a strike by Nemanja Stojanovic missed the target.
FT (GR 2 – GHJ 1)

Referee: Mario Apap