Important win for Gharb

23 January 2021

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II – Match Day 8 Kercem Ajax Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC : 0

Gharb Rangers FC : 2

8’ (0-1) Milos Stojanovic

21’ (0-2) penalty Milos Stojanovic

89’ (red card) Manuel Camilleri (ZR – from substitute bench)

90+6’ (red card) Baskal Saliba (ZR)

Zebbug R:

B. Saliba, S. Farrugia (P. Spiteri), I. Buttigieg, M. Camilleri (J. Azzopardi), C. Gauci, A. Touarha,  L. Farrugia, M.M. Uzor, I. Mampalao (O. Atzori), J. Bonnici (K. Bonnici), R. Saliba.

Gharb R:

J.P. Cassar, C. Hili, G. Sillato. O. Saliba, L. Dimech (R. Zammit), L. Attard (J. Cefai Farrugia), C. Cutajar (F. Attard), M. Grima (A. Tabone), M. Stojanovic, M. Grech, M. Farrugia.

Gharb Rangers scored two goals during the first half of their match against Zebbug Rovers, through a brace by Milos Stojanovic, and earned three important points which put them back at the second place on the table with six points behind the current leaders.  Thus was Gharb second win over Zebbug from two matches played in the campaign and with this result Gharb also become the closest team which may give a challenge to the hot favourites for promotion Qala Saints.

Gharb were the better side through the first period of play in the match against Zebbug Rovers and took the break with a deserved two-goal lead.  However, Gharb reduced their momentum after the break and on some occasions they conceded opportunities where Zebbug could have re-opened the issue.  The Rovers however struggled to produce a reaction and during the dying moments of the encounter they became also very nervous and had a player sent off from the substitute’s bench and their goalkeeper who was sent off for dissent second form the final whistle.

Timeline

Gharb surprised their opponents from the first minutes of play and held supremacy throughout the first period.

8’ (0-1) Gharb opened the score when Lauran Dimech delivered the ball inside Zebbug’s area from the midfield and Milos Stojanovic netted with a fine header that was out of the reach of goalie Baskal Saliba.

Gharb grew in confidence and continued to dictate matters.

23’ (0-2) penalty – The Rangers were awarded a penalty for a foul by Shaun Farrugia on Luke Attard and Milos Stojanovic converted from the spot kick to double the lead for his side.

37’ Gharb were again dangerous through a shot from long distance by Marvic Grima that ended over the crossbar.

45’ Gharb could have added another goal when a cross by Luke Attard from the left flank passed Zebbug’s rear guard and the ball arrived to an unmarked Milos Stojanovic who controlled easily but incredibly concluded wide form an ideal position.

HT (0-2)

For the second period Zebbug gave the impression that they increased their efforst in an attempt to re-open the issue but Gharb were well deployed at their defence and the Rovers found it difficult to create serious scoring opportunities.

13’ A shot by Zebbug’s Isaac Mampalao ended high.

36’ Zebbug lost their best opportunity to reduce the deficit when Gharb’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area and substitute Orlando Atzori took the ball but the striker concluded badly form an ideal position so that Gharb’s keeper John Paul Cassar blocked the danger.

40’ The same goalkeeper left his position in time and cleared the ball before Zebbug’s Matthias Michael Uzor could arrive to hit towards goal.

41’ Zebbug had another potential scoring opportunity through a strike by substitute Joston Azzopardi but Gharb’s keeper was again at the right place and neutralised the danger.

44’ (red card) Zebbug had Manuel Camilleri, who was substituted during the second period, who was sent off for remarks from the substitute bench.

45+2’ Zebbug had their last scoring opportunity through a header by Orlando Atzori, following a cross by Matthias Michael Uzor that ended high.

45+6’ (red card) Seconds before the final whistle Zebbug had their goalkeeper Baskal Saliba who was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent.

FT (ZR 0 – GR 2)

Referee: Max-Lee Muscat