26 September 2021
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – Match Day 4 Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC: 3
SK Victoria Wanderers: 1
10’ (1-0) Rodney Buttigieg
63’ (2-0) penalty Haruna Shodija Shola
84’ (2-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
88’ (3-1) Rafael Rodolfo Da Silveira
Xewkija T:
K. Attard, J. Axiak, J. Vella (N. Micallef), J. Buttigieg (D. Mercieca), R.R. Da Silveira (M. Mercieca), R. Buttigieg (T. Grech), M. Hrubsa, E.P. Lattes, J.G. Vella (J. Xuereb), H. Shodija Shola, C. Abela.
SK Victoria W:
G. Ratto, A. Agyeman, A.J. Obaje, N. Camilleri, E. Zammit (O. Fenech), O. Curmi, S. Harland, K. Grima, D.U. Monday, A. Adesina, N. Vella (N. Grech).
Xewkija Tigers registered their second consecutive win in the championship as they defeated bottom-placed SK Victoria Wanderers and with the points obtained they avoided the risk of ending up close to the red zone.
For this match Xewkija, who had Rodney Buttigieg and John Axiak back in the starting line-up after a two-match suspension, needed to make up for the disappointing heavy defeat conceded in their previous match. On the other hand, the Wanderers, who were playing for the fourth time with only three foreign players as Fabricio Rozkiewicz is still suffering from an injury, were aiming to win the first point in the championship. Xewkija however prevailed in this encounter as they managed to produce a strong defensive performance and were also effective in attack by creating more scoring opportunities.
Xewkija paved the way to the win with two goals scored during the early stages of each half and for most of the time they were in control of play so that Victoria’ efforts were sterile and rarely created danger on Xewkija’s goal. The Wanderers could have re-opened the issue at a late stage of the encounter but Xewkija had an immediate reaction and scored the third goal that practically concluded the outcome of the encounter.
Timeline
Play during the initial stages took place mainly in the midfield as the two sides tried to take command of play. Xewkija however seemed more dangerous and managed to take the lead in the tenth minute of play.
10’ Xewkija created the first serious scoring opportunity when Victoria’s defence failed to clear away from their area a free kick by Joseph George Vella, from the rebound an effort by Emiliano Lattes was blocked and the ball arrived to an unmarked Martin Hrubsa who saw his shot that ended just wide.
11’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the score through Rodney Buttigieg who passed inside ith a personal action and placed in goal with a low shot.
Victoria’ reaction was sterile and Xewkija seemed more confident in the way to administer the one-goal lead.
24’ Xewkija were again dangerous but a header from a good position by Rafael Rodolfo Da Silveira following a cross by Emiliano Lattes ended high.
31’ The Wanderers had a good opportunity to level the score when Aud-Gustine James Obaje released Oliver Curmi but the latter saw his attempt aimed towards the far post that ended wide.
36’ Vicoria could have created more danger but a low shot by Aud-Gustine Obaje following a short free kick from just outside Xewkija’s area.
37’ A strike from long distance by Victoria Emerson Zammit missed the target.
44’ Xewkija were again dangerous when Haruna Shodija Shola released Emiliano Lattes inside Victoria’s area but the latter saw his low shot from an angled position that was blocked to a corner by the goalkeeper.
HT (1-0)
After the break the Wanderers tried to be more aggressive in the midfield in an attempt to produce a reaction but Xewkija maintained their composure and did not concede much space to their opponents to enter the area. The Tigers continued to create more dangerous actions and practically put their minds at rest from the win by scoring the second goal that arrived just after the hour mark.
6’ Xewkija had an attempt from close distance by Rodney Buttigieg that was blocked to a corner.
7’ From the resultant corner action, Victoria’ defence cleared the ball from the goalmouth but Haruna Shodija Shola was denied from scoring as his strike from outside the area was cleared off the line by Victoria’ Oliver Curmi with the goalkeeper beaten.
14’ An attempt directly form a free kick by Xewkija’s Joseph George Vella ended just wide.
17’ (0-2) (penalty) Xewkija were awarded a penalty for handling by Victoria’s defender David Udo Monday in an attempt to block an effort by Rafael Rodolfo Da Silveira and Haruna Shodija Shola converted from the spot kick.
The Wanderers seemed demoralised and Xewkija continued to dictate matters with confidence. However, the Wanderers managed to reduce the deficit six minute away from time but Xewkija had an immediate reaction and re-established the two-goal difference four minutes later.
39’ (2-1) The Citizens re-opened the issue through a close ranged header by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a free kick by Kersten Grima.
43’ (3-1) Xewkija sealed the win by scoring the third goal that arrived following a fast break by Haruna Shodija Shola who released Rafael Rodolfo Da Silveira and the latter entered Victoria’s area, avoided the intervention of his direct opponent and lobbed easily over the goalkeeper from close distance towards the far post.
FT (XT 3 – SKVW 1)
Referee: Stefan Pace
0 Comments