Third consecutive win for Zebbug

13 November 2021

BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 3) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC : 5

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 1

14’ (1-0) Matias Camilleri Psaila

16’ (penalty missed – saved) Daniel Mesa Pineros (ZR)

20’ (penalty missed – wide) Daniel Mesa Pineros (ZR)

21’ (2-0) Daniel Mesa Pineros

37’ (3-0) Daniel Mesa Pineros

42’ (3-1) Alen Haska

51’ (4-1) penalty Eric Gauci

85’ (5-1) Joseph Bonnici

Zebbug R:

Om. Xuereb, I. Buttigieg, C. Gauci, D. Mesa Pineros, E. Gauci (J. Azzopardi), M. Camilleri Psaila (O. Atzori), M. Camilleri (C. Farrugia), N.J. Cini (O. Mercieca), J. Bonnici, R. Saliba, P. Spiteri.

St. Lawrence S:

C. Mercieca, L. Attard (C. Mercieca), G. Portelli, C. Grima, A. Haska, L. Cilia (C. Azzopardi),  V. J. Saliba (W. Hili), C. Cauchi (L. Dimech), D. Micallef, J.M. Portelli (A. Attard), J. Buhagiar.

In the first match from Match Day-3 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division, Zebbug Rovers confirmed their excellent start in the campaign with a 5-1 win over St Lawrence Spurs. This was Zebbug’s third consecutive won from the first three matches and thus they are currently leaders on the table with maximum points and can aim to be among the challengers to the main honour of the category.

The match between Zebbug and St Lawrence was expected to give an indication of the potential of the two sides as the Spurs were coming from a positive performance where they earned a point from the encounter against favourites Qala Saints.  However, Zebbug dictated matters for long stretches in this match.  They scored an early goal and during the first period they missed two penalty kicks by Daniel Mesa Pineros but the same striker made up for the mistakes and scored two personal goals before the break to pave the way to the convincing win by the Rovers.

Timeline

Zebbug surprised their opponents form the first minutes of play and held command of play so that they put the Spurs on the defensive for most of the first half.

14’ (1-0) Zebbug opened the score when a shot from outside the area by Nathan John Cini was deflected by the defence and the ball arrived to an unmarked Matias Camilleri Psaila who placed in goal with a low shot.

16’ (penalty missed- saved) The Rovers were awarded a penalty for a foul by Daniel Micallef on Nathan John Cini but the shot from the spot kick by Daniel Mesa Pineros was saved by St Lawrence’s goalie Courtney Mercieca with the aid of the post.

17’ St Lawrence could have levelled the score but an attempt by Alen Haska was neutralised by Zebbug’s keeper Omar Xuereb.

20’ (penalty missed – wide) The Rovers won a second penalty kick for a foul by the goalkeeper on Daniel Mesa Pineros, but the same striker concluded wide the shot from the spot kick.

21’ (2-0) Zebbug’s Columbian striker Daniel Mesa Pineros made up for the mistakes from the spot kick and doubled the score but concluding in goal after receiving from Matias Camilleri Psaila.

31’ The Rovers could have added another goal when Daniel Mesa Pineros delivered a cross inside the area and Nathan John Cini headed towards Eric Gauci but the latter saw his curling shot that missed the target.

37’ (3-0) Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros increased the lead when he surprised goalie Courtney Mercieca with a low shot form the edge of the area.

42’ (3-1) St Lawrence reduced the deficit with a goal by Alen Haska following a cross by Jurgen Mario Portelli.

HT (3-1)

Second Half

Zebbug maintained the momentum after the break during the first part of the second period but reduced the intensity as they put their minds at rest from the win.

6’ (4-1) penalty Zebbug were awarded another penalty for a foul by St Lawrence’s Daniel Micllef on Daniel Mesa Pineros and on this occasion Eric Gauci converted from the spot kick to add the lead for his side.

12’ The Spurs replied through a shot by Christopher Cauchi that missed the target.

19’ Zebbug’s goalie Omar Xuereb was well placed and blocked a close ranged shot by Alen Haska.

31’ St Lawrence had an attempt directly from a free kick by substitute Andrew Attard that ended just over the crossbar.

40’ (5-1) Zebbug sealed the win through a goal by Joseph Bonnici following an indirect free kick within St Lawrence’s area, with the ball getting a deflection by the defence before ending in the net.

FT (ZR 5 – SLS 1)

Referee: Jason Portelli