Xewkija retain their division I status with a handsome win

by | Apr 14, 2022 | 21/22, GFL 1st Div, Match Report, News

9 April 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 19) Gozo Stadium

Kercem Ajax FC : 0

Xewkija Tigers FC : 6

15’ (0-1) Matthias Mercieca

25’ (0-2) Elton Alexsandre Da Silva

50’ (0-3) Matthias Mercieca

80’ (0-4) Matthias Mercieca

83’ (0-5) Haruna Shodija Shola

89’ (0-6) Elton Alexsandre Da Silva

Kercem A:

G. Bugeja, D. Cassar, N. Mercieca, S. Martinez Turizo, J. Buttigieg, C. Camilleri, A. Mizzi, W. Simeao Dos Santos, J. Grech (E. Vella), J. P. Mizzi, Da Silva Rodrigues.

Xewkija T:

F. Vella, Jos. Vella, M. Mercieca (N. Micallef ), J. Buttigieg (J. Axiaq), R. Buttigieg (M. Dingli) (S. Xuereb), O. Xuereb (H.S. Shola), D. Mercieca, M. Hrubsa, E.P. Lattes, E.A. Da Silva, C. Abela.

Xewkija Tigers took revenge for four defeats conceded in previous encounters against Kercem Ajax this season, two in the championship and two in the other two competitions, with a handsome 6-0 win in the match from Match-Day 19 of the championship.  With the points obtained Xewkija are mathematically sure of retaining their first division status for another season and also moved to the fifth place on the standings.

Xewkija’s win was well deserved as the managed to prevail over the more quoted opponents in all parts of the field.  They managed to retain a clean sheet with an organised defensive deployment and were very effective in attack where the young striker Matthias Mercieca was a protagonist by scoring three of the six goals for his side.  In this match, Kercem were forced to play without the regular central defenders Luis Henrique Santana Motta and Nicholas Inguanez.  They seemed demoralised and failed to express their usual play so they did not manage to produce a reaction in an attempt to get away from the difficult moment and ended up conceding more goals during the final stages of the encounter.

Timeline

Xewkija took territorial supremacy from the initial stages and paved the way to the convincing win with two goals scored during the first half-hour of play.

10’ Xewkija could have opened the score when Matthias Mercieca delivered a good cross inside Kercem’s area and Elton Da Silva prolonged with a backheel to Rodney Buttigieg but the latter had his attempt blocked by the defence.

15’ (0-1) The Tigers took the lead when Rodney Buttigieg headed inside the area following a free-kick from a long distance by Martin Hrubsa and Matthias Mercieca arrived on the ball and lobbed over goalie Gaetano Bugeja.

24’ Kercem replied through a low shot by Jean Paul Mizzi that was well saved by Xewkija’s goalie Franklin Vella.

25’ (0-2) Xewkija doubled their lead through a header by Elton Alexsandre Da Silva following a cross by Rodney Buttigieg.

39’ Kercem went very lose to re-open the issue but a strike by Sebastien Martinez Turizo was saved with some difficulty to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.

42’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a break by Elton Da Silva who entered Kercem’s territory but goalie Gaetano Bugeja left his position in time and managed to block the shot by Xewkija’s Brazilian striker.

HT (0-2)

Second Half

After the resumption, Xewkija continued to enjoy the supremacy while Kercem struggled to produce a reaction in an attempt to recover the deficit.

5’ (0-3) the Tigers increased the lead when substitute Haruna Shodija Shola released Matthias Mercieca who controlled well, turned around the goalkeeper and placed easily into an open goal.

11’ In another good action by Xewkija, a shot by Elton Da Silva from an angled position ended just wide.

19’ Kercem were once again denied from scoring with a fine save by goalie Franklin Vella who turned to a corner a header by Euller Da Silva Rodrigues following a cross from the left flank by Nathaniel Mercieca.

25’ Xewkija went close to scoring another goal but a fin shot by Elton Ds Silva after receiving from Haruna Shodija Shola was saved to a corner by Kercem’s goalie Gaetano Bugeja.

32’ The Ajax were unlucky when a shot by Sebastien Martinez Turizo was partially saved by Xewkija’s keeper and from the rebound, the attempt by Wesley Simeao Dos Santos was stopped by the crossbar.

35’ (0-4) Kercem’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area following a free-kick from a long distance by Emiliano Lattes and Matthias Mercieca arrived on the ball and concluded in the net from a close distance to add another goal for his side and also registered a personal hat-trick.

38’ (0-5) Xewkija inflicted another goal on their opponents as Elton Da Suilva entered Kercem’s territory with personal action and from his pass, Haruna Shodija Shola placed easily in goal.

44’ (0-6) The Tigers marked their impressive win by scoring the sixth goal when Kercem’s goalie Gaetano Bugeja saved partially a free kick by Emilano Lattes and the ball arrived at Haruna Shodija Shola who passed to Elton Da Silva so that the latter concluded in goal with a curling shot.

FT (KA 0 vs XT 6)

Referee: Glen Tonna

Be the number 1 fan!

Support your team by attending matches in person. You can purchase tickets online from the GFA Website.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BOV Gozo Football League First Division

Get the latest

Subscribe to Web Push Notifications to get the latest GFA news, results and updates!

Related posts

Nadur Youngsters ease past Oratory Youths

Nadur Youngsters ease past Oratory Youths

10 November 2024 BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium Nadur Youngsters FC : 9 Oratory Youths FC: 1 7’ (1-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins 35’ (2-0) o.g. Luis Gabriel Santos Silva 49’ (3-0) Joseph Zammit 51’ (4-0) Igor De Jesus De Santana 55’ (5-0) Matthias Mercieca...

read more
SK Victoria Wanderers earn qualification with a close win

SK Victoria Wanderers earn qualification with a close win

9 November 2024 BOV GFA Cup (Q/finals) Kercem Stadium Xaghra United FC : 1 SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 2 31’ (0-1) o.g. Sam Frank Bajada 65’ (0-2) David Garba Emmanuel 72’ (1-2) Damir Andelovic Xaghra U: M. Zammit, L. Farrugia, M. Bezzina, J.A. Castano, D. Andelovic,...

read more

Written by Darren Cassar