5 February 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 8) Kercem Arkafort Stadium
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 2
Zebbug Rovers FC : 1
47’ (1-0) Joseph Buhagiar
57’ (2-0) Alen Haska
90+2’ (2-1) penalty Eman Bugeja
St Lawrence S:
J. Grima, L. Attard (J.M. Portelli), G. Portelli, A. Attard, C. Grima (M. Terribile), A. Haska (A. Portelli), C. Cauchi, J. Xuereb, W. Hili (C. Azzopardi), C. Mercieca (L. Dimech), J. Buhagiar.
Zebbug R:
Om. Xuereb (F. Portelli), E. Bugeja, C. Gauci, D. Mesa Pineros, M. Camilleri, N.J. Cini (G. Grech), J. Azzopardi (K. Bonnici), M. Grech (C. Farrugia), O. Atzori, R. Saliba, P. Spiteri.
St Lawrence Spurs obtained a 2-1 win over Zebbug Rovers and with the points obtained they re-opened their chances to improve their position on the table. St Lawrence were also determined to make up for the heavy defeat conceded in the match of the first round against the same Zebbug.
The Spurs had a prudent approach and defended their area for most of the first half. However, they came out in a better shape after the break and obtained the win by scoring two goals during the first part of the second half. In this match Zebbug had another disappointing performance and lost another opportunity to remain close to the teams at the top of the table. The Rovers are going through a very difficult phase where they cannot express the offensive play that they showed during most of the matches of the first round so that they practically compromised the very positive start that they had in the campaign. In this match the Rovers lacked character as soon as they conceded the first goal and only managed to put pressure on St Lawrence’s defence during the dying moments when there was not much time left to recover the score.
Timeline:
Play was rather balanced for most of the first half where the two sides could have capitalised better from their respective scoring opportunities.
3’ St Lawrence were unlucky when a header by Joseph Buhagiar following a corner kick by Alen Haska was stopped by the crossbar.
15’ Zebbug replied through an effort by Daniel Mesa Pineros that was blocked to a corner.
24’ (goal disallowed) The Rovers had a goal by Daniel Mesa Pineros that was disallowed for an offside infringement.
26’ St Lawrence’s goalie Justin Grima was almost surprised but saved to a corner an effort by Zebbug’s Columbian striker Daniel Mesa Pineros.
29’ The Spurs missed a good opportunity when Charles Mercieca took the ball from the defence at the edge of the area but his low shot aimed towards an open goal, when the goalkeeper was out of his position, ended wide.
32’ Zebbug were denied form scoring with an important intervention by goalie Justin Grima who cleared form the goalmouth a header by Manuel Camilleri following a corner kick by Joston Azzopardi.
42’ The Spurs were again dangerous but a shot by Alen Haska was saved by goalie Omar Xuereb.
43’ Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros had a strike form outside the area that ended high.
45’ The Rovers could have opened the score but a low shot by Daniel Mesa Pineros from close distance following a cross from the left flank by Eman Bugeja ended just wide.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
St Lawrence had an excellent start and managed to open the score so that they took the driving seat and administered play for the rest of the encounter.
2’ (1-0) St Lawrence opened the score through a header by Joseph Buhagiar following a corner kick by Luke Attard.
5’ The Spurs could have doubled the score when Luke Attard passed around the defence with a personal action but his shot from close distance was topped by the post.
12’ (2-0) St Lawrence operated a counter break through Alen Haska who entered the area and netted with a low drive.
16’ Zebbug conceded pressure when they failed to clear the ball from their danger zone and with the goalkeeper leaving his position outside the area but at the end Luke Attard took the possession but sae his shot aimed towards an open goal that ended high.
17’ The Rovers could have reopened the issue when Daniel Mesa Pineros tried to operate a counter break but hit badly when he was challenged by a defender and the goalkeeper Justin Grima saved without difficulty.
As time passed by the Rovers found it difficult to re-open the issue as St Lawrence were well organised at their defence for most of the time but during stoppage time the Rovers increased their efforts and went very close to recover the score.
45+2’ (2-1) penalty Zebbug were awarded a penalty for a foul by Joseph Buhagiar on Daniel Mesa Pineros and Eman Bugeja reduced the score with his shot from the spot kick.
45’+4’ The Rovers had an opportunity to level the score but a shot from the edge of the area by Manuel Camilleri after receiving from Eman Bugeja ended just high.
FT (SLS 2 – ZR 1)
Referee: Wayne Sammut
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