Xaghra register their second win

6 February 2022

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

Gharb Rangers FC : 1

Xaghra United FC : 4

9’ (0-1) Arthur Farrugia

43’ (penalty – saved) – Duran Rodrigo Apestegui (GR)

45+2’ (0-2) Shemar Tristan Blair

49’ (1-2) Francesco Cini

52’ (1-3) Francesco Cauchi

74’ (1-4) Francesco Cauchi

Gharb R:

Ow. Xuereb, F. Cini, C. Cutajar (J. Xerri), G. Debrincat, N. Attard, C. Dingli, M. Ciangura, D.R. Apestegui (D.P. Rapa), J.Cefai Farrugia (S. Farrugia), M. Theuma, P.P. Buttigieg (O. Saliba).

Xaghra U:

L. Camilleri, J. Bajada (A. Cini), S. Galea, J.K. Farrugia, A. Farrugia (E. Scerri), S.T. Blair, M. Cordina, S. Bonello, F. Cauchi (J. Camilleri), E. Galea (F. Caruana), B. Meilak (C. Camilleri).

Xaghra United registered the double over Gharb Rangers and retained their chances to move away from the bottom of the table.  The match between Xaghra and Gharb was a direct clash between two teams who were sharing the bottom of the table on equal points.  Xaghra’s win was well deserved and matured with two goals scored in each half.  With the points obtained Xaghra not only opened a gap of three points from Gharb, who remain at the bottom of the table but reduced the gap from the three teams who are placed above them on the table.

The match was well contested but Xaghra managed to capitalise from their scoring opportunities so that they were in a position to administer play during the last part of the encounter.  Gharb on the other hand was very erratic in the finishing.  They missed an opportunity to level the score just before halftime and ended up taking the break trailing by two goals. Moreover, Gharb conceded a third goal just after re-opening the issue so that they became demoralised and could not avoid a heavy defeat as happened in the match between the two sides of the first round.

Timeline

For most of the first period, Xaghra expressed more offensive play and seemed more confident in their play particularly after scoring an early goal.  Gharb tried to produce a reaction but they missed some good scoring opportunities and also conceded space at the defence and were punished for their mistakes.

9’ (0-1) Xaghra opened the score through a shot by Arthur Farrugia that got a deflection by the defence and surprised goalie Owen Xuereb.

17’ Xaghra were again dangerous but a shot by Francesco Cauchi, after receiving from Shemar Tristan Blair, ended high.

18’ Gharb replied through a low shot by Gabriel Debrincat that was blocked to a corner by Xaghra’s goalie Leonard Camilleri.

27’ The same goalkeeper was again called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner an effort by Carlos Cutajar.

34’ Gharb kept insisting and Xaghra’s keeper Leonard Camilleri made another difficult intervention and saved to a corner a strike by Francesco Cini.

39’ The Rangers were unlucky when a header by Duran Rodrigo Apestegui from a corner action hit the crossbar.

40’ Xaghra operated a counter break but a low shot by Shemar Tristan Blair was saved in two attempts by goalie Owen Xuereb.

43’ (penalty – saved) Gharb had an opportunity to level the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul  by the goalkeeper on Gabriel Debrincat but the shot from the spot kick by Duran Rodrigo Apestegui was saved in two attempts by Xaghra’s keeper Leonard Camilleri.

45+2’ (0-2) Gharb were punished for the missed chances as Xaghra doubled the score through a fine shot from outside the area by Shemar Tristan Blair that ended out of the reach of Gharb’s keeper.

HT (0-2)

Second Half

After the resumption Gharb seemed determined to produce a reaction.  They reduced the score but they suffered a setback by conceding the third goal few minutes later so that they threw the towel and did no manage to recover.

4’ (1-2) Gharb re-opened the issue through a direct free kick by Francesco Cini that ended in the corner of Xaghra’s net. 

7’ (1-3) Xaghra regained the two goal lead when Johann Bajada entered Gharb’s area but had his shot that was partially saved by goalie Owen Xuereb and from the rebound Francesco Cauchi deposited the ball into an open goal.

10’ Gharb could have reduced the score but a header by Gabriel Debrincat from a corner action ended wide.

18’ Xaghra were again dangerous through a personal action by Shemar Tristan Blair but he striker concluded high from a good position.

20’ Xaghra’s Francesco Cauchi concluded badly after receiving from substitute Christian Camilleri and the ball ended away from goal.

25’ The same Cuachi had another attempt from a good position but the ball ended high.

29’ (1-4) Xaghra increased their lead when Francesco Cauchi entered Gharb’s area with a personal action and concluded in goal with a low shot.

37’ Gharb could have created more danger but a shot by Marco Ciangura ended wide.

43’ Xaghra went very close to score the fifth goal when Shemar Tristan Blair entered the area with a personal action but his low shot aimed towards the far post ended wide.

FT (GR 1 – XU 4)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella