21 November 2020
BOV GFA Cup Preliminary Round Kercem Ajax Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC : 2
Munxar Falcons FC : 3
After extra time
19’ (1-0) Bartomeu Perello Palou
45’ (2-0) Orlando Atzori
52’ (2-1) Luke Meilaq
79’ (2-2) Steve Dimech
94’ (red card) Elijah Xuereb (ZR)
117’ (2-3) Derek Paul Borg
Zebbug R:
B. Saliba, S. Farrugia, I. Buttgieg, M. Camilleri, E. Xuereb, E. Scerri, C. Gauci, I. Mampalao (K. Bonnici), O. Atzori (P. Spiteri), J. Bonnici (R. Saliba), B. Perello Palou.
Munxar F:
D. Galea, C. Gafa’, P. Parnis (N. Haber), A. Buttigieg, L. Attard (F. Azzopardi), L. Meilaq, M. Debrincat (S. Dimech), J. Grima (M. Azzopardi), A. Carvalho, F. Cini (R. Grima), K. Mizzi (D.P. Borg).
The penultimate match from the preliminary round of the BOV GFA Cup was a direct clash between two sides from the lower category. As a result the match between Zebbug Rovers and Munxar Falcons turned out into a well contested encounter that was only decided in the last moments of extra time. Zebbug took a two-goal lead during the first half but Munxar had a strong reaction after the break and managed to recover the deficit. The match was therefore extended to extra time where the two sides struggled to produce dangerous actions. However, Munxar clinched the win with a goal that arrived three minutes from the end of extra time.
Timeline
The two sides were quite prudent during the opening minutes and play took place mainly in the midfield.
8’ Zebbug created the first scoring opportunity of the encounter through an attempt by Orlando Atzori that was blocked to a korner by the defence.
12’ Munxar replied through a shot from close distance by Kenneth Mizzi that just missed the target.
15’ Munxar could have created more danger when Luke Meilaq delivered a low cross form the right flsnk but Luke Attard failed to connect from close distance so that the defence recovered and managed to clear the ball from the area.
19’ (1-0) Zebbug opened the score when Munxar’s rear guard failed to clear the ball from the area and Bartomeu Perello Palou took advantage and lobbed over the goalkeeper from close distance.
31’ Zebbug were again dangerous through a free kick by Baromeu Perello Palou that was saved to a corner by goalie Daniel Galea. From the same corner action the same goalkeeper saved two consecutive attempts by Isaac Mampalao and Elijah Xuereb.
32’ Munxar’s Luke Meilaq had a strike from outside the area that ended just wide.
45’ (2-0) Zebbug doubled the score through Oralndo Atzori who controlled well a cross from the left flank by Bartomeu Perello Palou and the former netted with a low shot.
HT (2-0)
Munxar came out more aggressive for the second period and seemed determined to re-open the issue.
5’ Munxar’s Luke Attatrd had an attempt directly form a free kick that ended wide.
7’ (2-1) Munxar reduced the deficit when Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba punched the ball from the goal mouth following a free kick by Francesco Cini and the ball arrived to Luke Meilak who fired in goal with a first timer.
9’ Munxar kept insisting and when again closed to scoring but a low drive by Ayesller Carvalho that was out of the reach of Zebbug’s keeper was cleared off the fatal line by defender Shaun Farrugia.
11’ Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a shot cross by Luke Attard and from the resultant corner action a goal by Ayesller Carvalho was disallowed for an offside.
21’ Munxar lost a good scoring opportunity but a shot by substitute Steve Dimech was partially saved by Zebbug’s keeper and from the rebound the other substitute Derek Paul Borg incredibly headed over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.
25’ Zebbug’s operated a rare break where Bartomeu Perello Palou entered Munxar’s area but his attempt form an angled position ended on the side of the net.
30’ Munxar went once again close to level the score but Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba was well placed and blocked to a corner a clos enraged shot by Ayesller Carvalho who was unmarked in the area by Steve Dimech.
34’ (2-2) Munxar scored the equaliser and were rewarded for their efforts when a through pass by Luke Attard arrived to Steve Dimech who controlled well and placed in goal as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to blovk the danger.
45+1’ Munxar could have turned the result in their favour when Derek Paul Borg released Luke Attard inside Zebbug’s area but the latter saw his low drive aimed to the far post that ended just wide.
90mins. (2-2)
Extra Time
4’ (red card) Zebbug were reduced to ten players as Elijah Xuereb was shown a red card for foul language.
14’ Munxar lost another good opportunity to take the lead but a close ranged shot by Steve Dimech following a low cross by Ayesller Carvalho ended inches wide.
HT (2-2)
8’ Munxar were unlucky when a cross by Chris Gafa’ arrived to an unmarked Ayesller Carvalho inside Zebbug’s area but the latter had his shot that was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
12’ (2-3) Munxar scored the goal that decided the issue and earned the qualification to the quarter finals through Derek Paul Borg who entered the area from the right flank and fired in goal with a low shot aimed to the far post.
15’ Zebbug could have levelled the score and forced a penalty shoot-out but a fine attempt directly from a free kick by Bartomeu Perello Palou was turned to a corner with difficulty by Munxar’s keeper Daniel Galea.
FT a.e.t. (ZR 2 – MF 3)
Referee: Wayne Sammut
0 Comments