7 February 2021
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II – Match Day 10 Kercem Ajax Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC : 2
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 1
41’ (1-0) Mario Theuma
42’ (2-0) Luke Attard
65’ (2-1) Charles Mercieca
76’ (red card) Wayne Hili (SLS)
Gharb R:
J.P. Cassar, O. Saliba, P. Djorovic, R. Zammit, L. Attard, S. Azzopardi (A. Farrugia), C. Cutajar (F. Attard), M. Grima, M. Grech, M. Theuma, M. Farrugia.
St Lawrence S:
Co. Mercieca, F. Grima, C. Grima (C.J. Mercieca), M. Camilleri Psaila, M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi (L. Buttigieg), Ch. Mercieca, W. Hili, D. Micallef, K. Formosa, M. Terribile (G. Portelli).
Gharb Rangers moved to the second spot on the table at the end of the second round of the campaign with the points obtained from a win with the odd goal from three over bottom placed St Lawrence Spurs. For this match the Spurs were aiming to register their second consecutive positive result in an attempt to move away from the bottom of the table, while the Rangers needed a win to take the lead over the other teams who are challenging for the second place. St Lawrence saw more of the ball but found it difficult to produce scoring opportunities, while Gharb managed to defend well and practically paved the way to the win with two goals scored in the space of one minute near the end of the first half.
Timeline:
St Lawrence came out determined to take command of play and managed to dictate matters during the opening stages but as time passed by Gharb came out of their defence and kept their area clear from danger.
5’ St Lawrence created the first scoring opportunity of the match through a shot by Mohammed Senussi Telessi from a good position that ended wide.
37’ St Lawrence went again close to scoring when Matias Camilleri Psaila passed to Karl Formosa but the latter saw his attempt that ended just wide.
41’ (1-0) Gharb opened the score when St Lawrence’s goalie failed to hold a corner kick by Reuben Zammit and form the resultant melee Mario Theuma fired in goal.
42’ (2-0) Gharb doubled the score when Luke Attard took a back pass by St Lawrence’s defence, entered the area and placed in goal with a low drive. Initially the goal was not allowed as the assistant referee indicated an offside but the referee consulted the same assistant referee and confirmed the goal.
HT (2-0)
For the second period the Spurs tries to re-open the issue but Gharb continued to be well deployed.
4’ St Lawrence could have reduced the score but a header by Mohammed Senussi Telessi following a cross from the left flank by Wayne Hili ended wide.
7’ St Lawrence had another good scoring opportunity but Mohammed Senussi Telessi headed wide following a free kick by Karl Formosa.
9’ St Lawrence kept insisting and could have created more danger when Karl Formosa delivered a low cross inside the area but Mohammed Senussi Telessi arrived late and missed the connection from a good position.
13’ Gharb replied with a counter break by Marvic Grima and from the same initiative the ball arrived to Luke Attard who saw his attempt that ended wide.
20’ (2-1) St Lawrence re-opened their chances to save the result through a half volley by Charles Mercieca following a cross form the right flank by Mohammed Senussi Telessi.
27’ The Spurs created danger from a direct free kick by Karl Formosa that ended high.
31’ (red card) St Lawrence were reduced to 10 players when Wayne Hili was shown the second yellow card for a foul on Gharb’s Luke Attard.
36’ St Lawrence had their best opportunity to level the score but an effort from a good position by substitute Louis Buttigieg ended high.
39’ The last scoring opportunity to save the result for the spurs arrived to Charles Mercieca who had a lob towards goal when the goalkeeper was out of his position but the ball ended wide.
45+5’ Gharb could have made sure of the win by scoring a third goal when Predrag Djorovic released substitute Arthur Farrugia within St Lawrence’s territory and turned around the goalkeeper who left his area in an attempt to block the danger but Gharb’s Farrugia saw his low shot aimed towards an open goal that ended just wide.
FT (GR 2 – SLS 1)
Referee: Joe Agius
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