Wanderers earn first points

5 November 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 2) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

SK Victoria Wanderers : 3

Zebbug Rovers FC : 0

8’ (1-0) Joseph George Vella

36’ (2-0) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

45+3’ (3-0) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

SK Victoria W:

O. Xuereb, N. Camilleri, A. Refalo, W.J. Meilak, A.J. Obaje, E. Zammit (D. Kuru), S. Harland, K. Grima, O. Fenech (L. Fenech), N. Vella, J.G. Vella.

Zebbug R:

F. Portelli, P. Spiteri (I. Buttigieg), E. Bugeja (O. Atzori), C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori, D. Mesa Pineros (O. Mercieca), E. Gauci, C. Cauchi, M. Camilleri Psaila (E. Farhat), M. Grech (N.J. Cini).

SK Victoria Wanderers recovered from the defeat conceded in their opening match of the campaign with a win over Zebbug Rovers on Match-Day 2.  This was the main match of the weekend from the lower category as the Citizens are expected to be among the challengers for promotion, while Zebbug had a good start and was aiming to obtain a positive result.

The Wanderers were more organised and obtained the win by scoring three goals during the first period.  The match was actually well contested for most of the first half but Zebbug failed to convert their possession into good scoring opportunities while Vitoria protected their area and capitalised from the chances created inside Zebbug’s area.  During the second period, the match lost mu h of interest as Zebbug rarely threatened seriously Victoria’s rear guard as the latter administered the comfortable lead until the final whistle.

Timeline:

The two sides had a prudent approach but the Wanderers took the lead from their first offensive action and managed to control play for the rest of the encounter.

8’ (1-0) SK Victoria Wanderers opened the score when Aud-Gustine James Obaje delivered a low cross inside Zebbug’s area from the left flank, Emerson Zammit took the ball and released Joseph George Vella so that the latter concluded easily in goal with a low shot.

14’ The Wanderers went close to add another goal when Aud-Gustine James Obaje prolonged the ball inside the area from a corner action, but Neil Camilleri’s header from close distance ended wide.

30’ Zebbug replied through an effort by Daniel Mesa Pineros had an attempt that was neutralised by goalie Omar Xuereb.

34’ (crossbar) The Rovers missed an opportunity to level the score when Victoria’s defence failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth and from the resultant melee the close ranged shot by Lorenzo Atzori was blocked by goalie Omar Xuereb and from the rebound, the attempt by Eric Gauci shaved the crossbar and ended high.

36’ (2-0) Zebbug were punished for the missed opportunity as the Wanderers doubled the score through a close-ranged shot by Aud-Gustine James Obaje after receiving a low pass at an unmarked position from Owen Fenech.

40’ Zebbug’s Eman Bugeja had an attempt from a long ranged free kick that ended wide.

45+3’ (3-0) The Wanderers increased their lead when Joseph George Vella released Sam Harland inside Zebbug’s area, the latter hit badly but Aud-Gustine James Obaje took the ball and placed easily in goal from close distance.

HT (3-0)

Second Half

Zebbug came out more determined to re-open the issue but the Wanderers defended well and as time passed by they kept their opponents away from their territory and could have made sure of the win by scoring more goals.

5’ Zebbug were dangerous through an attempt by Lorenzo Atzori that was well saved by Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb.

9’ The same goalkeeper was well placed and neutralised a header by Zebbug’s Eric Gauci following a free kick from a long distance by substitute Ian Buttigieg.

10’ Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros had an attempt from a free kick that ended wide.

11’ The same Columbian striker had another effort through a strike from a long distance that ended away from goal.

16’ Victoria’s Owen Fenech went close to adding another goal but his shot following a clearance by Zebbug’s defence ended wide.

23’ (penalty action) The Wanderers operated a breakthrough initiative by Aud-Gustine James Obaje who entered Zebbug’s territory but was pulled down by central defender Carl Gauci.  The referee awarded a penalty but after consulting the assistant referee he changed his decision to a free kick just outside the area.

25’ (protests for penalty/red card) From the resultant free kick taken by Victoria’s Joseph George Vella, the same player took the ball from the rebound but ended on the floor following a challenge with Zebbug’s substitute Orlando Atzori, among protests by the Wanderers for a penalty and protests by Zebbug requesting a yellow card for simulation.

39’ The Wanderers missed an opportunity to score the fourth goal when Owen Fenech entered Zebbug’s area with a personal action but hesitated to conclude so that Zebbug recovered and the defence blocked the danger to a corner.

FT (SKVW 3 – ZR 0)

Referee: Anthony Paul Vella