12 March 2022
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 12) Kercem Arkafort Stadium
Xaghra United FC: 1
Zebbug Rovers FC : 3
49’ (0-1) Mattias Camilleri Psaila
75’ (red card) Arthur Farrugia (XU)
82’ (0-2) Nathan John Cini
89’ (1-2) Christian Camilleri
90+2’ (red card) Leonard Camilleri (XU)
90+14’ (1-3) Orlando Atzori
Xaghra U:
L. Camilleri, J. Bajada, A. Farrugia, C. Camilleri (A. Debono), S.T. Blair, M. Cordina, S. Sultana, F. Cauchi, E. Galea T. Agius, B. Meilak (C. Debono).
Zebbug R:
F. Portelli, I. Buttigieg, E. Bugeja, C. Gauci, E. Gauci, M. Camilleri Psaila (O. Mercieca), N.J. Cini (J. Azzopardi), M. Grech, O. Atzori, R. Saliba, P. Spiteri.
Zebbug Rovers earned three very important points from a 3-1 win over Xaghra United in a direct clash between two sides who are trying to avoid second place from the bottom of the table. The match was well contested for the first hour of play but when Xaghra were reduced to ten players Zebbug increased their efforts and managed to score two goals to secure the full points at stake. With this win, Zebbug opened a five-point lead over the same Xaghra and managed to regain the third spot by moving over St Lawrence Spurs.
Timeline
Zebbug saw more of the ball for most of the first period but Xaghra defended well and made it very difficult for the Rover to create serious scoring opportunities.
13’ A shot by Zebbug’s Ryan Saliba ended just wide.
17’ Zebbug’s Eman Bugeja had an attempt from a free-kick that ended over the crossbar.
As time passed by Xaghra managed to keep play away from their area.
31’ A shot from outside the area by Xaghra’s Christian Camilleri ended high.
45’ Zebbug went very close to scoring but a strike from outside the area by Ryan Saliba ended just over Xaghra’s goal.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Play during the second period became much more contested as Zebbug scored an early goal while Xaghra replied with a good reaction. However, Xaghra compromised their chances to obtain a positive result as they ended the match with nine players.
4’ (0-1) Zebbug opened the score when Xaghra’s defender Silvan Bonello headed badly inside his area in an attempt to clear the danger but the ball fell to an unmarked Mattias Camilleri Psaila who headed easily in goal from close distance.
7’ Xaghra replied through a free kick by Matthias Cordina that was neutralised by goalie Francesco Portelli.
23’ Xaghra were again dangerous through a shot by Shemar Tristan Bair following a personal action that ended just high.
29’ Xaghra went very close to level the score but Zebbug’s central defender Eman Bugeja headed from the fatal line to avoid a certain goal a strike from an angled position by Tristen Agius.
30’ (red card) Xaghra were reduced to ten players when Arthur Farrugia was sent off for a second caution received for a foul just outside the area on Nathan John Cini.
36’ From the resultant free-kick, taken following a long stop until Zebbig’s player could recover, the attempt by Eman Bugeja ended just high.
37’ (0-2) Zebbug doubled the score when Nathan John Cini passed through Xaghra’s rearguard and fired in goal from close distance.
44’ (1-2) Xaghra re-opened the issue when Johann Bajafda passed through Zebbug’s defence from the left-hand side and from his low cross Christian Camilleri arrived from behind the defence and guided the ball into an open goal.
45+2’ (red card) Xaghra were reduced to nine players when goalie Leonard Camilleri was shown a straight red card for abusive language addressed to the referee.
The match was suspended for another ten minutes as Zebbug’s Nathan John Cini once again needed assistance due to an injury.
45+14’ (1-3) Zebbug sealed the win when Orlando Atzori won the ball from Xaghra’s defence and deposited in goal as he arrived face to face with substitute goalkeeper Aiden Debono.
FT (XU 1 – ZR 3)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
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