Xaghra obtain hard-earned win over Gharb

27 September 2022

GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (MD 4) Kercem Ajax Stadium

Gharb Rangers FC : 0

Xaghra United FC : 2

1’ (0-1) Steve Sultana

90+4’ (0-2) Matthias Cordina

Gharb R:

O. Xuereb, M. Ciangura, J. Agius, C. Cutajar, C. Cardona, G. Debrincat, V. Laketic, M. Tabone, J. Buttigieg, O. Calleja, N. Attard.

Xaghra U:

A. Debono, J.K. Farrugia (L. Meilak), J. Xuereb (J. Bajada), M. Cordina, S. Sultana, J. Formosa (E. Scerri), M. Mamo (S. Galea), D. Azzopardi, A. Farrugia (S. Bonello), F.J. Xuereb, L. Garcia Panesso.

Xaghra earned their fourth win in the 2^nd Division Challenge Cup from four matches and remain co-leaders with SK Victoria Wanderers.  Xaghra were already qualified for the final of the competition prior to this match but they were determined to extend their good start this season with another victory.  The match was practically decided with a goal scored in the action from the kick-off  by Xaghra and for the rest of the encounter Gharb tried to recover the deficit while Xaghra defended their lead and tried to make sure of the win by scoring another goal.  As a result the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle.

Timeline:

Xaghra had an excellent start and opened the score in the first action of the encounter but Gharb had an immediate reaction in an attempt to recover the score.  However, Xaghra were well deployed at their defence and for most of the time they kept the danger away from their area.

1’ (0-1) Xaghra opened the score after just 14 seconds of play when Leiner Garcia Panesso released Steve Sultana on the left hand side and the latter surprised Gharb’s goalie with a fine shot.

2’ Gharb were dangerous through a header by Gabriel Debrincat, following a corner kick by Marco Ciangura, that ended wide.

23’ Xaghra could have created more danger but a shot by Matthias Cordina ended just wide.

33’ Xaghra’s Christian Cardona had an attempt from outside the area that ended wide.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

Play continued to be quite interesting after the break as Gharb kept insisting while Xaghra continued to administer break but the actions on goal were quite rare and the outcome remained in contention for a long period.

17’ Gharb’s Gabriel Debrincat failed to connect to an inviting low cross by Viktor Lavetic and goalie Aiden Debono saved without difficulty.

19’ Xaghra created a dangerous counter break where Leiner Garcia Panesso came face to face with Gharb’s Owner Xuereb and the latter had good timing when he left his position and blocked the danger.

25’ Gharb’s keeper Owen Xuereb made another important intervention when he blocked a close ranged attempt by Marlon Mamo who was alone inside the area.

27’ Xaghra’s goalie Aiden Debono was well paced and saved without difficulty a shot from outside the area by Gharb’s Viktor Laketic.

29’ Xaghra’s Matthias Cordina had an attempt from a free kick that was neutralised by goalie Owen Xuereb.

45+4’ (0-2) Xaghra made sure of the win by scoring the second goal that arrived few seconds away from the final whistle through a strike from an angled position by Matthias Cordina following a personal action.

FT (GR 0 – XU 2)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella