Qala Saints crowned champions

9 April 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 15) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Qala Saints FC : 3

Zebbug Rovers FC : 0

15’ (1-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu

68’ (2-0) Brandon Said

86’ (3-0) Brandon Said

Qala S:

M. Muscat (F. Buttigieg), J. Portelli, S. Sillato (M. Zerafa), Jsph. Buttigieg, Jsf. Buttigieg (C. Farrugia), M. Buttigieg (R. Meilak), S. Muscat, S. Farruga, E. Buttigieg (C. Caruana), B. Said, E.R. Ekpokwu.

Zebbug R:

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

Qala Saints celebrated the victory of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division title with a 3-0 win over Zebbug Rovers.  This was the last match of the campaign for the two sides but will meet again within a few days in the semi-final of the BOV GFA Division II Knock Out competition.  With this win, Qala ended a successful run as they ended the league undefeated and dropped just two points from the maximum of forty-five points.

The Maroons were followed by a sizable crowd at the Kercem Arkafort Stadium that created an atmosphere of celebrations as Qala were returning to the top flight after a very long period during which the team often struggled to be competitive in the lower category.

Qala lived up to the expectations and dictated matters for most of the encounter so that they scored an early goal and made sure of the win through a brace by Brandon Said after the break.  With these goals, the striker consolidated the leadership of the top-scorer table as he took the tally to seventeen personal goals.

At the final whistle by the referee Qala’s players, the staff led by coach Mario Bonello, the officials led by President Noel Mizzi and the numerous supporters started the celebrations which continued during the presentation of the medals and the trophy for the second division champions to skipper Emanuel Buttigieg made by the BOV Manager for the Gozo region Ms Charmaine Borg, in the presence of GFA officials led by President Dr Samuel Azzopardi.  The celebrations continued in the evening at the locality of Qala.

Timeline

The champions had a better start and held territorial supremacy and scored an early goal.  Zebbug tried to produce a reaction and created some chances that could have been converted into goals.

15’ (1-0) Qala opened the score when a close-range shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu was blocked by the goalkeeper and from the rebound, the same striker concluded easily in goal.

23’ Zebbug could have created more danger when Paul Spiteri received an inviting ball inside Qala’s area but he hesitated and missed the opportunity to hit toward the goal.

39’ Qala were again dangerous but a shot by Brandon Said following a prolonged action was blocked by the defence.

40’ (goal disallowed) Zebbug operated another good action when Eric Gauci unmarked Nathan John Cini with a good cross and the latter concluded into the net but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.

45+1’ Zebbug were again dangerous but a shot by Eric Gauci ended away from goal.

HT (1-0)

Second Half

After the break, Qala continued to administer play and made sure of the win by scoring the second goal midway through the second half. 

3’ Qala’s Stefan Farrugia had an attempt that ended wide.

22’ Zebbug’s goalie Francesco Portelli was called to make a good save following a strike by substitute Ryan Meilak following a pass by Brandon Said.

23’ (2-0) Qala doubled the score when Brandon Said received the ball on the left and placed it in goal with a low drive towards the far post.

41’ (3-0) The Maroons sealed the win with another goal by the top scorer of the category Brandon Said who fired in goal with a fine shot after receiving the ball at an unmarked position on the left-hand side.

45’ Zebbug’s substitute goalkeeper Omar Xuereb denied Qala from adding another goal when he blocked a strike from outside the area by Joseph Buttigieg.

FT (QS 3 – ZR 0)

Referee: Joseph Scerri