28 February 2021
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – Match Day 9 Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 1
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 4
29’ (0-1) Paulo Santos De Azevedo
46’ (0-2) Paulo Santos De Azevedo
54’ (0-3) Christian Mercieca
63’ (1-3) Emiliano Patricio Lattes
90’ (1-4) Henrique De Souza Maciel
Xewkija T:
F. Vella, J. Axiak, J. Vella, M. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, J. Xuereb, C. Mifsud (J. Saliba), M. Dingli (A. Borg), M. Hrubsa, E.P. Lattes, T. Grech.
Victoria H:
M. Grima, L. Grima, J.M. Vella (J. Azzopardi), C. Mercieca (J. Tabone), J. Pace, A. Azzopardi, J. Parnis (C. Attard), H. De Souza Maciel, D. Farrugia, S. Attard, P. Santos De Azevedo.
Victoria Hotspurs obtained a convincing 4-1 win over Xewkija Tigers in the last match from the first round of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division and regained the third spot on the table. This was Victoria’s second consecutive win after three disappointing results and therefore they regained some confidence in their ambition to be among the challengers for the main honour in Gozitan football.
The match was quite interesting during the initial stages but as time passed by the Hotspurs took the initiative of play, opened the score with a goal scored during the first half and practically made sure of the win with two goals scored during the opening minutes of the second period. Xewkija suffered Victoria’s play and although they reduced the score just after the hour mark they failed to produce an effective reaction to recover the score.
Timeline
The first minutes of play were well contested as the two sides had opportunities to open the score. However, the Hotspurs took the driving seat after opening the score and continued to dictate matters for the rest of the encounter.
3’ Victoria Hotspurs almost awarded a scoring opportunity to their opponents when defender Daniel Farrugia seemed overconfident when he passed the ball towards the goalkeeper and Xewkija’s Matthias Mercieca almost took advantage of the situation but goalie Mark Grima managed to recover and cleared the ball from the goalmouth just before the arrival of Xewkija’s striker.
4’ Xewkija went again close to open the score when Victoria’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area following a corner action but a close ranged shot by Tristan Grech was well saved by Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima.
5’ The Hotspurs replied through an attempt by Henrique Maciel from an angled position that was neutralised by Xewkija’s goalie Franklin Vella,
21’ Victoria Hotspurs could have capitalised from a favourable situation when Jordi Parnis took the ball inside Xewkija’s area and delivered a low cross towards the goalmouth but the striker s arrived late and missed the opportunity to connect.
26’ Xewkija’s Emiliano Lattes had a shot from long distance following a personal action that ended high.
27’ In another offensive action by the Hotspurs a cross shot by Andre Azzopardi was well saved by goalie Franklin Vella.
29’ (0-1) Victoria Hotspurs opened the score through a header by Paulo Santos De Azevedo following a free kick from the right flank by Henrique Maciel.
Xewkija’s immediate reaction was sterile and as time passed by the Hotspurs gained confidence and maintained the initiative of play.
38’ Victoria Hotspurs could have doubled the score when Jason Pace passed inside Xewkija’s area to Christian Mercieca. The latter addressed towards goal and the ball arrived to an unmarked Paulo Santos De Azevedo who incredibly hit badly with an open goal at his mercy and the ball ended wide.
43’ Victoria’s Jordi Parnis released Christian Mercieca but the latter saw his attempt that was turned to a corner with some difficulty by Xewkija’s goalie Franklin Vella.
HT (0-1)
The hotspurs continued to be the better side during the opening stages of the second period so that Xewkija continued to find it difficult to create danger within Victoria’s territory.
1’ (0-2) Victoria Hotspurs doubled the score after just 29 seconds of play into the second period when Christian Mercieca entered Xewkija’s area and from his low cross Paulo Santos De Azevedo concluded in goal with a tap-in.
9’ (0-3) Victoria Hotspurs increased their lead when Henrique Maciel released Christian Mercieca in a counter break and Victoria’s striker lobbed over Xewkija’s goalie who left his position with the intention to block the danger.
18’ (1-3) Xewkija Tigers reduced the deficit through a direct free kick by Emiliano Lattes which ended out of the reach of Victoria’s goalie.
19’ Victoria however continued to be more dangerous and Xewkija’s goalie was again called to make a save following a strike by Henrique Maciel.
33’ Victoria Hotspurs were again dangerous when Henrique Maciel had a close rangd shot that was partially saved by Xewkija’s keeper Franklin Vella and from the resultant melee the same goalkeeper blocked the effort by Paulo Santos De Azevedo.
34’ Xewkija could have scored a second goal but a shot by substitute Jake Saliba from a good position ended high.
35’ Victoria Hotspurs lost another good scoring opportunity when Christian Mercieca’s shot form a good position after receiving form Shaun Attard ended just over the crossbar.
45’ (1-4) Victoria Hotspurs sealed the win when Henrique Maciel took the ball from Xewkija’s defence and fired in goal from an ideal position.
FT (XT 1 – VH 4)
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
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