Munxar register the first win

28 September 2022

GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (MD 4) Gozo Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC : 1

Munxar Falcons FC : 2

17’ (0-1) Stefan Farrugia

90+1’ (0-2) Stefan Farrugia

90+5’ (1-2) Ryan Saliba

Zebbug R:

B. Saliba, P. Spiteri, M. Formosa (I. Buttigieg), E. Bugeja (E. Farhat), C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori, E. Gauci, C. Cauchi (N.J. Cini), M. Camilleri Psaila (M. Grech), O. Merceica (O. Atzori).

Munxar F:

D. Galea, C. Gafa, A. Buttigieg, R. Meilak (J.P. Grima), M. Debrincat (P. Debono), S. Farrugia, H.F. Solis, B. Said, G. Sillato, S. Muscat, K. Mizzi (T. Axiak).

Two teams with just one point before this match and were aiming for the first win

Each team prevailed for a half each

Munxar capitalised better from the chances and obtained the win with a goal scored in each half through a brace by Stefan Farrugia

Timeline:

Munxar came out more determined and for most of the first half they held command of play.  The Falcons managed to take an early lead while Zebbug’s immediate reaction was sterile so that the former administered the lead without conceding scoring opportunities to their opponents.

17’ (0-1) Munxar opened the score when Kenneth Mizzi won the ball from Zebbug’s defence and unmarked Stefan Farrugia who entered the area and placed in goal as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.

19’ Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba made an important intervention to save a close ranged header by Kenneth Mizzi following a cross from the left flank.

25’ (crossbar) Munxar were unlucky when a strike from outside the area by Stefan Farrugia, following a clearance by Zebbug’s keeper, was stopped by the crossbar.

27’ The same Stefan Farrugia had a low shot after receiving from Brandon Said that ended just wide.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

After the resumption Zebbug seemed more motivated as they increased their efforts in an attempt to recover the score.  Munxar however defended well and operated mainly with counter breaks.

3’ Zebbug’s Eric Gauci had a good shot from outside the area that ended just over the crossbar.

8’ Munxar could have doubled the score when Brandon Said won a tussle with Zebbug’s goalie inside the area but central defender Eman Bugeja recovered in time and denied the striker from concluding into an open goal.

21’ (crossbar) Zebbug were again dangerous through a lob by Eric Gauci that ended on the crossbar.

41’ Munxar missed an opportunity to make sure of the win when Henry Fabian Solis entered Zebbug’s area with a personal action but his low shot was blocked by goalie Baskal Saliba.

45’ The falcons went again close to score the second goal but a first timer from close distance by Brandon Daid following a cross by Samwel Muscat missed the target.

45+1’ (0-2) Munxar managed to put their minds at rest form the win when Brandon Said released Stefan Farrugia inside Zebbug’s area and the latter placed in goal with a low drive.

45+1’ (1-2) Zebbug scored a consolation goal through a shot from close distance by Ryan Saliba a melee inside Munxar’s area.

FT (ZR 1 – MF 2)

Referee: Joseph Scerri