Qala obtain win with second half goals

17 January 2021

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II – Match Day 7 Kercem Ajax Stadium

Qala Saints FC : 2

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 1

53’ (1-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu

68’ (2-0) Stefan Farrugia

90+2’ (2-1) Karl Formosa

Qala S:

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

St Lawrence S:

C. Mercieca, A. Ademilua (M. Terribile), F. Grima, R. Grech, C. Cauchi (M. Camilleri Psaila), C. Mercieca (C. Grima), W. Hili (C.J. Mercieca), C. Grima, D. Micallef, K. Formosa, L. Buttigieg.

Qala Saints obtained a 2-1 win over bottom placed St Lawrence Spurs which matured with goals scored after the break.  For this match St Lawrence continued to express improvement over their previous matches and as a result the current leaders of the category found it more difficult than expected to put their minds at rest of the win at an early stage of the encounter.  With this win Qala therefore remained the only undefeated side of the second division and also retained a comfortable lead over the other teams who are aiming to challenge for promotion.  On the other hand the Spurs once again left the field of play empty handed and conceded the sixth defeat from as many matches in the campaign.

Timeline:

Qala as expected took command of play from the early stages and created some good opportunities where they could have opened the score.

2’ The Maroons had an attempt directly from a free kick by Manwel Xerri but the ball shaved the crossbar and ended high.

4’ Qala’s Joseph Buhagiar headed inside St Lawrence’s area from the left flank and the ball arrived to Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who saw his header well saved by St Lawrence’s debutant keeper Courtney Mercieca.

14’ The same goalkeeper made the best save of the afternoon to turn to a corner a first timer form outside the area by Stefan Farrugia.

16’ Qala’s Charlon Farrugia delivered the ball inside Sy Lawrence’s area from a free kick but the header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu ended wide.

19’ St Lawrence replied through an overhead kick by Adebayo Ademilua following a short clearance by Qala’s defence but goalie Matthew Muscat was well paced and neutralised the danger.

27’ Qala were again dangerous through a shot by Ryan Meilak that ended just high.

42’ In another good action by the Maroons, Manwel Xerri entered the area after receiving from Ebube Ralph Okpokwu, but the former saw his shot that ended wide.

43’ St Lawrence’s keeper was called to make a good intervention following a shot by Ryan Meilak.

45’ The Spurs had an attempt towards Qala’s goal through Karl Formosa that ended wide.

HT (0-0)

St Lawrence came out for the second period with more confidence and during the opening stages they were more dangerous than their more quoted opponents.

1’ After just 20 seconds of play St Lawrence’s Karl Formosa released Ryan Grech, the latter entered the area, turned around the goalkeeper but his shot ended wide.

3’ The Spurs could have created more danger but a header by Louis Buittigieg from a corner kick by Karl Formosa ended wide.

5’ Qala replied through a shot from outside the area by Stefan Farrugia that missed the target.

8’ (1-0) Qala opened the score through a close ranged shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who was left unmarked by St Lawrence’s defence.

10’ Qala kept insisting and were dangerous through a strike from long distance by Emanuel Buttigieg that ended high.

11’ St Lawrence could have created more danger when the defence cleared badly a cross by player-coach Charles Mercieca and the ball fell to Wayne Hili who had his close ranged attempt that was well saved by goalie Matthew Muscat.

23’ (2-0) Qaka doubled their lead when Ebube Ralph Okpokwu passed to substitute Martin Buttigieg at the edge of St Lawrence’s area, the latter hit badly but the ball arrived to an unmarked Stefan Farrugia who fired in goal form an ideal position.

35’ Qala could have added another goal but a close ranged attempt by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu was blocked to a corner by the goalkeeper.

40’ St Lawrence’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was again called in action and managed to save in two attempts a shot by Charlon Farrugia.

45+2’ (2-1) St Lawrence reduced the score through a spectacular shot from outside the area by Karl Formosa following a personal action that was out of the reach of Qala’s keeper.

FT (QS 2 – SLS 1)

Referee: Patrick Falzon