Zebbug, Gharb clash ends in a draw

5 March 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 11) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC : 1

Gharb Rangers FC : 1

42’ (0-1) Gabriel Debrincat

50’ (1-1) Eman Bugeja

90’ (red card) Daniel Mesa Pineros (ZR)

Zebbug R:

F. Portelli, C. Farrugia (P. Spiteri), E. Bugeja, C. Gauci, D. Mesa Pineros, E. Gauci, M. Camilleri Psaila, N.J. Cini, M. Grech, G. Grech (J. Azzopardi), R. Saliba.

Gharb R:

O. Xuereb, A. Borg, C. Cutajar, G. Debrincat, N. Attard, J. Xerri, M. Ciangura, R. Aprestegui Duran, J. Cefai Farrugia, M. Theuma, S. Azzopardi.

Zebbug Rovers and Gharb Rangers missed an opportunity to obtain a win to improve their position on the table as the two sides earned a point each from a 1-1 draw.  This was the first match of the third round of the campaign for the two sides where both Zebbug and Gharb are aiming to earn points to move away from the lower part of the table.

The final score is a just result as the two sides tried hard to obtain the win.  Gharb held the initiative of play during the first period and took the break with a deserved lead.  However, the Rovers levelled the score after a few minutes of play into the second period so that for the remaining part of the encounter the two sides had opportunities to score the decisive goal.  During this part of the match, play became rough and the Rovers also ended the match on a negative note as they had their striker Daniel Mesa Pineros who was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Timeline

Play for most of the first half took place in the midfield although Gharb seemed more offensive during the initial stages.  However, both sides were very weak in their final passing and both failed to create good scoring opportunities. 

25’ Gharb produced the first dangerous action through an initiative by Carlos Cutajar who passed inside Zebbug’s area but his low shot was weak and the goalkeeper saved without difficulty.

31’ Zebbug replied with a shot from close distance by Daniel Mesa Pineros that was blocked by Gharb’s keeper Owen Xuereb.

39’ Zebbug’s Eman Bugeja had an attempt directly from a free-kick that missed the target.

42’ (0-1) Gharb opened the score when Rodrigo Apestegui Duran released Gabriel Debrincat at the edge of the area and the latter fired in goal with a fine shot from an angled position.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

Zebbug came out for the second period in better shape, managed to level the score at an early stage of the second period and the outcome of the encounter remained uncertain until the final whistle.

5’ (1-1) Zebbug scored the equaliser through a direct free kick by Eman Bugeja that ended out of the reach of Gharb’s goalie.

9’ Gharb replied with a shot-cross from a long distance by Marco Ciangura that was neutralised by Zebbug’s goalie Francesco Portelli.

25’ Gharb’s keeper Owen Xuereb was well placed and saved a shot from outside the area by Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros.

30’ A good shot by Gharb’s Rodrigo Apestegjui Duran was well saved by goalie Francesco Portelli.

44’ Gharb could have regained the lead but a header by Gabriel Debrincat following a cross by Rodrigo Apestegui Duran was saved with di9ficulty by goalie Francesco Portelli.

45’ (red card) Zebbug ended the match with ten players when Daniel Mesa Pineros was sent off after receiving a second caution for a foul on Gharb’s goalie Owen Xuereb.

45+6’ Gharb were denied the win when Zebbug’s defender Eman Bugeja cleared off the line a header by Gabriel Debrincat following a free-kick by Nicholas Attard.

FT (ZR 1 – GR 1)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella