Qala end the second round with a seven-point lead

6 February 2021

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II – Match Day 10      Kercem Ajax Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC               :           1

Qala Saints FC                      :           4

31’ (0-1) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu

35’ (0-2) Charlon Farrugia

40’ (1-2) Lucas Farrugia

50’ (1-3) Charlon Farrugia

65’ (1-4) Martin Buttigieg

Zebbug R:

L. Gatt, S. Farrugia (F. Camilleri), I. Buttgieg, M. Camilleri, C. Gauci, L. Farrugia (O. Atzori), M.M. Uzor, J. Azzopardi, J. Bonnici (A. Touarha), P. Spiteri, M. Formosa, R. Saliba (O. Mercieca).

Qala S:

M. Muscat, J. Portelli (M. Zerafa), S. Sillato (P. Muscat), E. Galea, M. Buttigieg, S. Farrugia (J. Buagiar), C. Farrugia (N.C. Njoku), E. Buttigieg, R. Meilak (C. Bugeja), E.R. Okpokwu, M. Xerri.

Qala Saints scored two goals in each half in their match against Zebbug Rovers and earned three deserved points which puts them back with a comfortable seven-point lead over their closest rivals for the top spot.  The Maroons therefore registered the double over Zebbug and moved closer to become mathematically champions of the category and to win the promotion to the top flight after twelve seasons before the last matches of the campaign

This was the last match of the second round for the two sides and they were both aiming for the win as Qala needed to confirm their superiority in the category while Zebbug were aiming to regain a chance to take the second spot on the table.  However, Qala dominated over their opponents for long stretches and they could have registered the win with a larger margin.  Zebbug only managed to show signs of reaction during the final stages of the first half but failed to maintain the momentum after the break so that they ended up conceding another defeat with a large score.

Timeline

Qala produced pressure over Zebbug’s rear guard from the first minutes of play and managed to convert their superiority ion good scoring opportunities.

2’ a low shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu from a good position ended wide.

8’ In another good action by the Maroons, an effort by Charlon Farurgia missed the target.

14’ Zebbug’s goalie Liam Gatt left his position in time to take the ball before Ebube Ralph Okpokwu could conclude a personal action with a shot towards goal.

15’ Qala went very close to scoring but a header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a cross by Ryan Meilak was stopped by the post.

20’ Zebbug replied through a free kick from long distance by Manuel Camilleri that ended just over Qala’s crossbar.

28’ Zebbug protested for a penalty following a tackle by Qala’s Charlon Farrugia on Zebbug’s striker Matthias Michael Uzor.

31’ (0-1) Qala opened the score when Ryan Meilak delivered a cross from the right flank that arrived to an unmarked Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who pushed the ball easily into an open goal.

35’ (0-2) Qala doubled the score through a shot directly from a free kick by Charlon Farrugia that surprised Zebbug’s goalie Liam Gatt.

37’ The same Charlon Farrugia could have added another goal for his side but his shot from a good position ended wide.

39’ The Maroons threatened Zebbug’s rear guard through a header by Stefan Farrugia from a good position that ended wide.

40’ Zebbug managed to re-open the issue against the run of play when Lucas Farrugia took advantage of some misunderstanding between the goalkeeper and the central defender and took the ball to p-lace easily into an open goal.

45’ Zebbug could have levelled the score when the same Lucas Farrugia arrived before goalie Matthew Muscat at the edge of the area but the striker saw his lob that was stopped by the crossbar.

HT (0-2)

The Maroons regain full command of play after the break and managed to put their minds at rest from the win by scoring two other goals.

5’ (1-3) Qala regained the two-goal lead through a shot directly from a corner by Charlon Farrugia that surprised Zebbug’s goalie.

9’ Zebbug’s goalie Liam Gatt was called to make a good intervention to save a shot by Stefan Farrugia.

12’ The same goalkeeper once again denied Qala from adding another goal by turning to a corner a strike by Charlon Farrugia.

15’ Qala’s Ebube Ralph Okpokwu had a good effort that was neutralised by Zebbug’s goalie

Liam Gatt.

20’ (1-4) Qala sealed the win by scoring the fourth goal that arrived through a shot by Martin Buttigieg that ended in goal despite the attempt of a defender and the goalkeeper to block the danger.

FT (ZR 1 – QS 4)

Referee: Raymond Tabone