SK Victoria Wanderers end the first round as sole leaders

20 December 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 3 from 61’) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

SK Victoria Wanderers : 0

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0

SK Victoria W:

O. Xuereb, N. Camilleri, A. Refalo, A.J. Obaje, E. Zammit, S. Harland, S.F. Bajada, O. Fenech, J. Saliba, N. Vella, J.G. Vella.

St Lawrence S:

C. Mercieca, M. Dingli, G. Portelli, A. Haska, V.J. Saliba, J. Grima, D. Micallef, J.M. Portelli, J. Saliba, W. Hili, J. Axiak.

The first round of the Gozo Football League of the second division ended with the recovery of the last 30 minutes of play of the match from Match Day-3 between SK Victoria Wanderers and St Lawrence Spurs which was abandoned on 61’ due to the heavy rain on 29 November 2022 when the score was 0-0.  During this recovery, SK Victoria Wanderers tried to put more pressure on their opponents in an attempt to obtain the win and to consolidate their sole leadership, while the Spurs were aiming to register a second win which could have put them closer to the top positions.

This was the fourth match from five for St Lawrence that they ended with a clean sheet.  With this result, the Wanderers managed to defend their sole leadership but the gap with the other teams falls within the reach of one match and therefore one expects that the next round of the campaign would be more contested to establish the real contenders for promotion this season.

Timeline from 61’:

The play was quite balanced during the first minutes but as time passed by the Citizens increased their efforts and produced more pressure on St Lawrence’s defence.

13’ Victoria could have created more danger but Sam Frank Bajada headed badly from a good position following a free kick by Joseph George Vella.

15’ (crossbar) St Lawrence almost opened the score when a shot from a long distance by James Grima surprised Victoria’s goalie who was out of his position but the ball ended on the crossbar.

17’ The Wanderers were dangerous through a cross-shot by Aud-Gustine James Obaje that was saved by St Lawrence’s goalie Joel Xiberras.

18’ (protests for penalty) From the same corner action the Wanderers protested for a penalty when Joseph George Vella ended up on the floor as he tried to pass around his direct opponent.

20’ St Lawrence’s goalie denied the Wanderers from scoring when he saved with difficulty to a corner a strike from close distance by Joseph George Vella.  From the resultant corner action, a header by Neil Camilleri was again blocked by St Lawrence’s goalie.

22’ (protests for penalty) The Wanderers protested again for a penalty alleging handling by the defence in an attempt to clear the danger from St Lawrence’s area.

FT (SKVW 0 – SLS 0)