Qala Saints win top of the table clash

12 February 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 8) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Munxar Falcons FC : 0

Qala Saints FC : 2

42’ (0-1) Ryan Meilak

58’ (0-2) Brandon Said

Munxar F:

D. Galea, J.P. Grima (K. Mizzi), A. Buttigieg, M. Azzopardi, M. Tabone (D.P. Borg), N. Haber, L. Portelli, A. Carvalho, R. Grima (P. Rapa), G. Sillato (L. Meilak), M. Farrugia

Qala S:

M. Muscat, Jsph. Buttigieg, Jsf. Buttigieg, M. Buttigieg, C. Farrugia, E. Buttigieg, R. Meilak (P. Muscat), B. Said, F. Mumford (S. Sillato), A. Komljenovic (S. Farrugia), M. Xerri.

Qala Saints obtained an important win over Munxar Falcons and ended Match-Day 8 of the campaign with an eight-point lead over the same Falcons.  This match was a direct clash between the two teams who are aiming for promotion.  Hot favourites Qala Saints lived up to the expectations as they held command of play for most of the time and paved the way to the win with a goal scored near the end of the first half and a second goal that arrived just before the hour mark.

Munxar failed to take revenge for the defeat conceded in the match against the same Qala of the first round.  The Falcons needed a win from this encounter to close their gap from the leaders and re-open their chances to challenge for the top post.  However, Munxar were very erratic in concluding their best scoring opportunities so they ended up conceding goals during crucial moments of the encounter and compromised the possibility to obtain a positive result.

In the end, the final score was just and also confirms Qala’s superiority in the category this season.

Timeline

Qala came out more aggressive and saw more of the ball for most of the time.  However, Munxar operated sporadic breaks and very often Qala’s rear guard conceded actions that could be converted in goals.

3’ Qala could have scored an early goal but a close-ranged shot by Brandon Said was blocked by the goalkeeper Daniel Galea.

13’ The same goalkeeper was well placed and once again blocked another good shot by Branon Said who was unmarked by Charlon Farrugia.

19’ Munxar almost surprised their opponents when a strike by Mario Azzopardi from outside the area got a deflection by Qala’s Charlon Farrugia but the goalkeeper recovered his position and saved the danger to a corner.

25’ The same Charlon Farrugia risked to commit an own goal when he hit badly in front of the goalmouth in an attempt to clear a cross by Ayesller Carvalho but the ball ended inches away from goal and play resumed with a corner kick.

36’ Qala’s keeper Matthew Muscat neutralised a strike from outside the area by Ayesller Carvalho.

40’  The Saints were again dangerous through a low shot by Joseph Buttigieg after receiving from Brandon Said that ended just wide.

41’ Munxar produced their best offensive action through Ayesller Carvalho who released Michael Tabone inside Qala’s area but the latter saw his low shot that was saved with difficulty by goalie Matthew Muscat.

42’ (0-1) Qala punished their opponents for the missed scoring opportunity when Brandon Said produced a personal action on the left flank and from his low cross, Ryan Meilak came from behind the defence and placed in goal with a low shot.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

Munxar’s reaction after the break was sterile while Qala gained more confidence and retained the territorial supremacy until the end of the match.

6’ Qala’s goalie saved without difficulty a free kick by Ayesller Carvalho.

11’ The Saints replied with a header from a good position by Aleksandar Komljenovic following a cross by Ryan Meilak that ended high.

13’ (0-2) The Maroons doubled the score through a shot from an angled position by Brandon Said following a cross from the right by Ryan Meilak.

20’ Munxar could have re-opened the issue but a strike from outside the area by substitute Kenneth Mizzi was stopped by the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.

24’ Qala could have created more danger but a header by Joseph Buttigieg from a free-kick by Emanuel Buttigieg ended high.

34’ Munxar’s goalie denied Qala from scoring another goal when he blocked a close-range attempt by Martin Buttigieg following a personal action.

43’ (goal disallowed) Qala’s Brandon Said lobbed over the goalkeeper into the net after receiving from substitute Stefan Farrugia but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.

45+3’ Munxar’s goalie Daniel Galea saved with difficulty to a corner a direct free kick by Charlon Farrugia.

FT (MF 0 – QS 2)

Referee: Joseph Scerri