Qala earn a point with a late penalty

24 January 2021

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

Qala Saints FC : 2

Munxar Falcons FC : 2

57’ (1-0) Manwel Xerri

61’ (1-1) Ayesller Carvalho

73’ (1-2) penalty Ayesller Carvalho

90+3’ (2-2) penalty Emanuel Buttigieg

(red card after final whistle) Daniel Galea (MF)

Qala S:

M. Muscat, J. Portelli, S. Sillato, M. Zerafa (C. Bugeja), M. Buttigieg (J. Buhagiar), S. Muscat, S. Farrugia, C. Farrugia (R. Meilak), E. Buttigieg, E.R. Okpokwu, M. Xerri.

Munxar F:

D. Galea, C. Gafa, A. Buttigieg, L. Meilak, M. Debrincat, N. Haber, J. Grima, A. Carvalho, R. Grima, D.P. Borg (S. Dimech), F. Cini (N. Attard).

Qala Saints managed to defend their unbeaten run in the campaign by scoring an equaliser from a penalty seconds away from the end of the encounter against Munxar Falcons.  In this match the two sides had the motivation to obtain a win as Qala were aiming take revenge for the goalless draw in the match between the two sides the first round while Munxar were aiming to obtain a win in an attempt to reduce their gap from the same Qala and re-open their chances to join the race for promotion.

As expected Munxar were more aggressive but Qala were well deployed and managed to resist for most of the match.  Munxar seemed heading towards a win form this encounter as they also managed to turn the result in their favour through a brace by Ayseller Carvalho but in the last minute of play the Falcons conceded a penalty so that Qala capitalised from the opportunity and saved the result.

Timeline

Munxar came out determined to put pressure on Qala’s rear guard but the Falcons found it very difficult to convert their territorial supremacy into scoring opportunities.

18’ Munxar had their most dangerous action towards Qala’s goal through an attempt by Francesco Cini that ended wide.

21’ Qala replied through a free kick by Charlon Farrugia that was well saved by goalie Daniel Galea.

HT (0-0)

Play during the second period became much more interesting with some good actions at the two ends of the pitch.

2’ Qala had a goal scored by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu that was disallowed for an offside.

12’ (1-0) Qala opened the score when Munxar’s defender Neville Haber headed away from his area but the ball fell to Manwel Xerri who fired towards the top corner of goal with a first timer with the ball ending in the net despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.

16’ (1-1) Munxar had an immediate reaction and managed to level the score through Ayesller Carvalho who surprised the goalkeeper with a shot from an angled position following a personal action.

18’ Munxar were again dangerous through a header by Ayesller Carvalho following a free kick by Luke Meilak that ended wide.

27’ (1-2) penalty – Munxar were awarded a penalty when Qala’s keeper saved partially a striker form outside the area by Joseph Grima and Derek Paul Borg ended on the floor in the area following a challenge with the same goalkeeper to take the ball form the rebound.  Ayesller Carvalho converted from the spot kick and put his side in the lead.

45+2’ (2-2) penalty – Qala recovered the deficit when they were also awarded a penalty for handling by Munxar’s Neville Haber in his attempt to clear the danger form his area so that Emanuel Buttigieg placed in goal with his shot from the spot kick.

(red card) After the final whistle Munxar had goalie Daniel Galea who was sent off for fighting.

FT (QS 2 – MF 2)

Referee: Raymond Tabone