SK Victoria Wanderers consolidate sole leadership

21 January 2023

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 8) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0

SK Victoria Wanderers: 4

10’ (0-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

24’ (0-2) Emerson Zammit

43’ (0-3) Luke Fenech

70’ (0-4) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

St Lawrence S:

J. Xiberras, M. Dingli, G. Portelli (N. Haber), C. Grima, A. Haska (C. Azzopardi), V.J. Saliba, J. Grima (J. Azzopardi), D. Micallef, J.M. Portelli (L. Portelli), W. Hili, J. Axiak.

SK Victoria W:

O. Xuereb, N. Camilleri, A.J. Obaje (K. Lupi Spencer), E. Bugeja (T. Azzopardi) E. Zammit, S. Harland, S.F. Bajada, O. Fenech, N. Vella, J.G. Vella (J. Saliba 60), L. Fenech (M. Gafa).

SK Victoria Wanderers took full advantage of the unexpected defeat conceded by challengers Zebbug Rovers and obtained a convincing 4-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs so that they extended their sole leadership to four points.

The match between the Wanderers and St Lawrence was expected to be more contested as the encounter between the two sides of the first round ended in a draw.  However, in this match from the second round, the Citizens came out determined and paved the way to the win by scoring three goals during the first period.  St Lawrence was shocked at an early stage of the encounter and failed to produce a reaction after conceding the first goal at an early stage.  As a result, Victoria dominated for a long stretched and pulled their foot off the pedal during the final stages when they had their minds at rest from the three points.  

Timeline:

The Wanderers took command of play from the first minutes of play and managed to take the lead after a few minutes so they kept insisting and increased their lead by scoring two more goals before the break.

10’ (0-1) The Wanderers opened the score through a header by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a cross by Joseph George Vella.

24’ (0-2) Victoria doubled their lead through a strike by Emerson Zammit following a personal action that ended out of the reach of St Lawrence’s goalie.

43’ (0-3) Victoria’s Luke Fenech added another goal with a fine header following a corner kick by Joseph George Vella.

HT (0-3)

Second Half

St Lawrence seemed demoralised after the break and failed to produce a reaction so the Wanderers continued to administer play although they reduced their momentum.  Victoria sealed the win by scoring a fourth goal midway through the second half and managed to keep a clean sheet until the end of the match.

25’ (0-4) The Wanderers made sure of the three points by scoring another goal that arrived through a lob by Aud-Gustine James Obaje following a personal action.

30’ The Spurs went close to scoring but an effort by substitute Luke Portelli was well saved by goalie Omar Xuereb.

45+2’ St Lawrence missed an opportunity to score a consolation goal but Luke Portelli incredibly lifted over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy following a cross from the right that surprised Victoria’s defence.

FT (SLS 0 – SKVW 4)

Referee: Darko Stankovic