28 January 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 11) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 1
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 3
2’ (0-1) Andrea Debrincat
28’ (1-1) Nicholas Ingunez
56’ (1-2) Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes
77’ (1-3) penalty Henrique De Souza Maciel
Kercem A:
J. Micallef, D. Cassar, N. Mercieca, L.H. Santana Motta, N. Inguanez, J. Theuma (C. Attard), S. Martinez Turizo (J. Grech), J. Buttigieg, C. Camilleri, A. Mizzi, E. Da Silva Rodrigues.
Victoria H:
D. Spiteri, E. Serrano Valero, C. Vella, D. Hili (A. Xiberras), A. Debrincat (C. Cardona),J. Pace, A. Azzopardi, H. De Souza Maciel, O.G. Fernandes, J. Tabone, E. Xiberras.
Victoria Hotspurs confirmed their good moment of form in the second round of the championship and earned three precious points from deserved 3-1 win over Kercem Ajax. With the points obtained the Hotspurs moved to the fourth place on the table and for the first time this season they move away from the burden of the relegation zone.
The match turned out to be well contested during the first half as the Hotspurs scored an early goal but the Ajax had a strong reaction, levelled the score and created more scoring opportunities before the break. However the Hotspurs came out in a better shape for the second period and as time passed by they took command of play and obtained the win by scoring two goals. Kercem struggled to produce offensive play during the second period, particularly when their influential midfielder Sebastien Martinez Turizo had to be substituted due to an injury, and did not manage to recover the score so that they ended up conceding the second consecutive defeat.
Timeline
The Hotspurs surprised their opponents during the opening minutes and took an early lead but Kercem were not demoralised and ended up dictating matters for most of the first half.
2’ (0-1) The Hotspurs opened the score when Andrea Debrincat won the ball from Kercem’s defence at the edge of the area and fired in goal with a low shot.
Kercem had an immediate reaction.
6’ Victoria’s defence was almost surprised following a free kick by Chris Camilleri but managed to clear the ball wit difficulty form the goalmouth.
9’ Kercem’s Andrew Mizzi had an attempt form a good position that was partially saved by Victoria’s goalie ad the defence cleared the danger.
14’ The Ajax could have created more danger but a strike by Sebastien Martinez Turizo missed the target.
20’ Victoria’s goalie Daniel Spiteri made an important intervention to block an attempt by Jason Theuma following a corner kick by Sebastien Martinez Turizo.
24’ A free kick by Kercem’s Sebastien Martinez Turizo ended over the crossbar.
25’ The same player had another attempt towards Victoria’s goal but the ball ended away from goal.
27’ Kercem’s Luiz Henrique Santana Motta delivered a cross inside Victoria’s area form the right flank, Euller Da Silva Rodrigues passed the Chris Camilleri but the latter had his strike that was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Daniel Spiteri.
28’ (1-1) From the resultant corner kick by Chris Camilleri Kercem were rewarded for their efforts and levelled the score through a header by Nicholas Inguanez.
30’ In another good action by Kercem a lob by Chris Camilleri ended high.
34’ The Ajax could have turned the result in their favour but a header from close distance by Andrew Mizzi following a cross by Nathaniel Mercieca ended high.
HT (1-1)
Second Half
After the break the Hotspurs regained composure and play became more balanced during the opening minutes. However, the Hotspurs grew in confidence and as time passed by they took command of play.
11’ (1-2) The Hotspurs regained the lead when Henrique De Souza Maciel produced a personal action and released Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes who netted with a low drive towards the far post.
Kercem’s reaction was sterile.
26’ The Hotspurs were again dangerous when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes took the ball from Kercem’s defence and passed to Henrique the Souza Maciel but the latter saw his shot that was well saved by goalie Joel Micallef.
29’ Victoria’s Henrique De Souza Maciel had a header from a free kick by Andre Azzopardi that ended high.
32’ (1-3) penalty The Hotspurs put their minds at rest from the win when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Daniel Cassar on Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes and Henrique De Souza Maciel netted with his shot form the spot kick.
FT (KA 1 – VH 3)
Referee: Emanuel Grech
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