29 January 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 7) Kercem Arkafort Stadium
Qala Saints FC : 4
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0
20’ (1-0) Brandon Said
34’ (2-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu
55’ (3-0) Brandon Said
61’ (4-0) Daniel Micallef o.g.
78’ (red card) Michael Zerafa (QS)
Qala S:
M. Muscat, Jsph. Buttigieg, Jsf. Buttigieg (M. Zerafa), M. Buttigieg, C. Farrugia (P. Muscat), E. Buttigieg (S. Sillato), R. Meilak (S. Farrugia), B. Said, F. Mumford, E. R. Okpowku, M. Xerri (J. Portelli).
St Lawrence S:
C. Mercieca, G. Portelli, A. Attard, C. Grima (L. Attard), A. Haska, V.J. Saliba (L. Dimech), C. Cauchi, J. Xuereb, C. Azzopardi, D. Micallef (J.M. Portelli), J. Buhagiar.
Qala Saints took full advantage of the results obtained by the other contenders for promotion in their respective matches from Match-Day 7 of the campaign and earned the full points at stake form their match against St Lawrence Spurs with a convincing 4-0 win. With this result Qala consolidated their sole leadership and opened an eight point lead over Zebbug Rovers and Munxar Falcons, although the latter have a game in hand.
In this match against St Lawrence Spurs the Maroons were determined to make up for the disappointing result of the match against the same St Lawrence of the first round where Qala dropped two points as they were held to a draw of four goals. Qala dominated over St Lawrence throughout the encounter and earned the win by scoring two goals in each half.
Timeline
Qala took command of play from the early stages as St Lawrence suffered the pressure and failed to get out of their defence.
12’ St Lawrence’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was well placed ad neutralised a low shot from a good position by Brandon Said.
20’ (1-0) Qala opened the score when a header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu from a corner kick hit the crossbar and from the rebound Brandon Said concluded in goal from close distance.
25’ St Lawrence’s goalie Courtney Mercieca left his position to clear the danger outside the area but the ball bounced on Ebube Ralph Okpokwu and central defender Daniel Micallef recovered in time to clear the ball from the goalmouth.
St Lawrence’s reaction as sterile.
33’ Qala’s Brandon said had a good shot form an ideal position that ended wide.
34’ (2-0) The Maroons capitalised from a mishap by St Lawrence’s defence as they failed to clear the ball from the danger area following a low cross by Brandon said and Ebube Ralph Okpokwu took full advantage an deposited the ball in goal.
HT (2-0)
Second Half
Qala continued to dictate matters after the break while St Lawrence continued to find it very difficult to create danger towards Qala’s goal..
5’ St Lawrence’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was well placed to save a shot from outside the area by Charlon Farrugia.
9’ Qala were again dangerous through a header by Emanuel Buttigieg following a cross by Josef Buttigieg that ended just over the crossbar.
10’ (3-0) Qala added another goal when Ebube Ralph Okpokwu passed inside the area to Brandon Said and the latter fired a shot that ended in the corner and out of the reach of the goalkeeper.
13’ The same Said had a low shot after receiving form Ebube Ralph Okpokwu at the edge of the area that was saved in two attempts by St Lawrence’s goalie.
16’ (4-0) The fourth goal of the match for Qala arrived from a corner kick by Martin Buttigieg and St Lawrence’s central defender Daniel Micallef hit badly and committed an own goal in an attempt to clear the danger before Ebube Ralph Okpokwu could conclude from close distance.
21’ Qala’s Martin Buttigieg went again close to score another goal but his attempt directly from a free kick ended just high.
29’ (red card) Qala were reduced to ten players when substitute Michael Zerafa was sent off for a foul on Alen Haska who was denied from entering alone in the area following a rear counter break.
45’ The Spurs could have scored a consolation goal but a low shot by substitute Jurgen Mario Portelli was saved by Qala’s goalie Matthew Muscat.
FT (QS 4 – SLS 0)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
0 Comments