20 February 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 9) Kercem Arkafort Stadium
Qala Saints FC: 5
Gharb Rangers FC: 1
5’ (1-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu
9’ (2-0) Joseph Buttigieg
31’ (3-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu
47’ (3-1) Gabriel Debrincat
50’ (penalty saved) Brandon Said (QS)
83’ (4-1) Martin Buttigieg
90’ (5-1) Brandon Said
Qala S:
M. Muscat, S. Sillato (M. Vella), Jsph. Buttigieg, M. Buttigieg, S. Farrugia (N.C. Njoku), E. Buttigieg, P. Muscat (M. Zerafa), B. Said, F. Mumford (J. Portelli), E.R. Okpokwu (S.P. Spiteri), M. Xerri.
Gharb R:
O. Xuereb, O. Saliba (D.P. Rapa), A. Borg, C. Cutajar (D. Vella), G. Debrincat (J. Muscat), N. Attard, S. Farrugia, M. Ciangura, R. Aprestegui Duran, J. Cefai Farrugia, M. Theuma.
Favourites for promotion Qala Saints defended their eight-point lead over their closest rivals with a fine win over bottom-placed Gharb Rangers. Qala confirmed their superiority which they have expressed so far in the campaign and practically made sure of the win by scoring three goals during the first half.
Qala reduced their pressure after the break and allowed their opponents to produce some offensive actions but the outcome of the match was never in contention as Gharb found it very difficult to create dangerous actions towards Qala’s keeper, despite the consolation goal that arrived during the opening stages of the second period when the match was already compromised. Qala, therefore, continued to be the better side and during the second period, they missed a scoring opportunity from a penalty but made sure of the win by adding two goals that arrived near the end of the match.
Timeline
Qala came out very aggressive and during the first half-hour of play, they created continuous danger on Gharb’s goal.
5’ (1-0) Qala opened the score through a header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a corner kick from the right by Samuel Sillato.
7’ Qala were again dangerous when a shot on the run by Brandon Said ended just high.
9’ (2-0) The Maroons doubled the score when Joseph Buttigieg entered Gharb’s area with personal action and netted with a low drive.
13’ In another good action by Qala a shot by Brandon Said from outside the area missed the target.
19’ Qala’s Ebube Ralph Okpokwu could have added another goal but his attempt from close distance following a melee in front of Gharb’s goalmouth was blocked by the defence.
20’ Qala were again dangerous but a shot by Samuel Sillato following a personal action was saved in two attempts by goalie Owen Xuereb.
31’ (3-0) Gharb’s goalie Owen Xuereb partially saved a close-range attempt by Stefan Farrugia and form the rebound Ebube Ralph Okpokwu placed in goal with a low shot from outside the area.
HT (3-0)
Second Half
Gharb had a good start for the second period but Qala soon regained composure and regained the territorial supremacy although the actions at the two goals became rare.
2’ (3-1) Gharb reduced the score when Andrew Borg released Gabriel Debrincat from a long-range free-kick and the latter placed in goal with a low shot as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.
5’ (penalty saved) Qala could have regained the three-goal lead when they were awarded a penalty for handling by defender Andrew Borg, but the shot from the spot-kick by Brandon Said was saved to a corner by goalie Owen Xuereb.
13’ Qala’s goalie Matthew Muscat was at the right place to save a free-kick from a long distance by Oliver Saliba.
37’ Gharb’s goalie Owen Xuereb denied Qala from scoring another goal when he blocked a close-range shot by Brandon Said.
38’ (4-1) The Maroons increased their lead through a strike from close distance by Martin Buttigieg following a cross from the right by substitute Jeremy Portelli.
45’ (5-1) Qala sealed the win by scoring the fifth goal that arrived through a shot from an unmarked position by Brandon Said who took advantage of a miskick by Gharb’s defence.
FT (QS 5 – GR 1)
Referee: Stefan Minic
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