Kercem return to winning ways

23 January 2021

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – Match Day 6 Gozo Stadium

Kercem Ajax FC : 4

Xaghra United FC : 0

30’ (1-0) Samuel Saldanha

36’ (2-0) Samuel Saldanha

58’ (3-0) Marko Potezica

62’ (red card) Nathaniel Mercieca (KA)

81’ (4-0) Andrew Mizzi

Kercem A:

G. Bugeja, D. Cassar, A. Xiberras (P. Parnis), J. Buttigieg (G. Muscat), A. Mizzi, S. Saldanha, N. Mercieca, S. Attard (O. Attard), A. Zammit, J.P. Mizzi, M. Potezica.

Xaghra U:

O. Attard, J. Bajada, S. Galea, A. Sultana, K. Hili  (A. Cini), J.C. Moreiro Ribeiro, F. Rodrigues De Souza Santos, S. Bonello, L. Sultana (M. Cordina), E. Xiberras, F. Attard (J.K. Farrugia).

Kercem Ajax recovered from two consecutive defeats in the championship and produced an excellent performance in the match against bottom placed Xaghra United so that they gained the full points at stake and moved to a safer place on the table.  Kercem’s win over Xaghra was well deserved as they dominated throughout the ninety minutes.  The Ajax came out determined to make up for their previous disappointing results and held command of play throughout the encounter where their strikers created continuous danger to Xaghra’s rear guard.

Kercem’s win matured with two goals scored in each half but he win could have easily been with a larger margin.  On the other hand Xaghra had a disappointing performance and they never seemed in a position that they may obtain at least a point form this match.  They failed to confirm the positive aspects produced in their previous match and therefore they ended up conceding Kercem’s offensive play.

Timeline

During the opening minutes of the encounter Kercem produced pressure on Xaghra’s defence and could have easily scored an early goal.

2’ Kercem’s Jean Paul Mizzi passed through Xaghra’s defence inside the area but he ended up prolonging the ball in his final move and missed the opportunity to hit towards goal.

8’ In another good action by the Ajax, Samuel Saldanha entered Xaghra’s area with a personal initiative but he was denied from concluding towards goal with a timely intervention by defender Silvan Bonello who cleared the ball to a corner.

12’ Xaghra replied through an attempt by Felipe Rodrigues De Souza Santos that was blocked in front of the goalmouth by Saviour Attard and the goalkeeper recovered his position in time to take the ball and to avoid further danger inside his area.

16’ Kercem were again dangerous when Joshua Buttigieg delivered an inviting cross inside Xaghra’s area but Samuel Saldanha incredibly lifted over the crossbar from close distance so that he lost a good opportunity to put his side in the lead.

27’ Kercem lost another good scoring opportunity when Joshua Buttigieg concluded wide form close distance following a good cross by Anthony Zammit.

30’ (1-0) Kercem opened the score through Samuel Saldanha who received the ball from the midfield through a header by Jean Paul Mizzi, resisted to the challenge by his direct opponent, entered the area and placed in goal with a fine shot.

34’ Kercem could have capitalised better but a header by Joshua Buttigieg following a cross form the right flank by Samuel Saldanha, was weak and goalie Owen Attard saved without difficulty.

36’ (2-0) Kercem doubled the score when Samuel Saldanha produced a good move from the right flank and surprised Xaghra’s keeper with a curling shot that ended at the top corner of the far post.

41’ Kercem went again close to add another goal through another attempt by Joshua Buttigieg, who received from Samuel Saldanha but concluded wide form a good position.

43’ Xaghra went closest to reduce the score through a shot by Julio Cesar Moreiro Ribeiro that ended away from the target.

HT (2-0)

Xaghra failed to produce a freaction after the break as Kercem continued to dictate matters.

4’ Kercem’s Andrew Mizzi entered Xaghra’s area wioth a personal action but he hit badly as he arrived close to the small area and the ball ended away from goal.

13’ (3-0) Kercem scored their third goal through central defender Marko Potezica who took the ball from the midfield and advanced until he entered Xaghra’s area with a personal action so that he concluded his move with a fine low shot that was out of the goalkeeper.

16’ Xaghra’s goalie Owen Attard was well placed and blocked to a corner another attempt by Kercem’s Andrew Mizzi.

17’ (red card) Kercem were reduced to ten players when the referee showed the red card to Nathaniel Mercieca for a foul on Felipe Rodrigues De Souza Santos.

35’ Xaghra’s goalie Owen Attard made the best save of the afternoon as he turned to a corner with difficulty a close ranged attempt by Samuel Saldanha.

36’ (4-0) From the resultant corner, taken by Anthony Zammit, Kercem added another goal as Andrew Mizzi netted with a fine header.

45’ In another good offensive action by Kercem, Jean Paul Mizzi released substitute Paul Parnis inside Xaghra’s area but although the latter netted with a low shot the goal was disallowed for an offside position.

45+1’ Xaghra could have scored a consolation goal but a strike by Julio Cesar Moreiro Ribeiro ended just over the crossbar.

FT (KA 4 – XU 0)

Referee: Sandro Spiteri