Top of the table clash ends all square

15 January 2023

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 7) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC: 2

SK Victoria Wanderers: 2

6’ (1-0) Lorenzo Atzori

40’ (1-1) Owen Fenech

64’ (2-1) o.g. Omar Xuereb

67’ (2-2) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

90+3’ (penalty missed – saved) Daniel Mesa Pineros (ZR)

Zebbug R:

B. Saliba, P. Spiteri, M. Formosa (M. Grech), C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori, D. Mesa Pineros, C. Cauchi, M. Gauci, N.J. Cini (O. Mercieca), O. Atzori.

SK Victoria W:

O. Xuereb (A. Micallef), N. Camilleri, A. Refalo, A.J. Obaje, E. Zammit, S. Harland, S.F. Bajada, O. Fenech (L. Fenech), D.U. Monday, J. Saliba (J.W. Meilak), N. Vella.

In the main match from Match Day 7 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division, SK Victoria Wanderers and Zebbug Rovers earned a point each from a 2-2 draw so that the Wanderers defended their sole leadership while Zebbug remain their main challengers trailing by just one point.

The match between SK Victoria Wanderers and Zebbug Rovers was a direct clash for the leadership as Zebbug was coming from a good moment of form and could have moved above the same Victoria with a win.  On the other hand, SK Victoria Wanderers were aiming to win the three points to consolidate their sole leadership and also to take advantage of the results of the other matches of the weekend.  As a result, the match turned out into a well-contested encounter where the outcome was uncertain.  In the end, Zebbug left the field of play much more disappointed as they missed an opportunity to score a last-gasp goal a second away from the final whistle when they failed to convert a penalty kick.  However, the final score was just and the two sides confirmed that they deserve their current position on the table.

Timeline:

The play was rather balanced during the opening stages but Zebbug were more dangerous in their actions within Victoria’s territory so they took an early lead. The Wanderers however had a good reaction and recovered the deficit with a goal scored near the end of the first half.

5’ (post) The Wanderers almost committed their own goal when central defender Sam Frank Bajada hit badly in an attempt to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a cross from the right flank but the ball hit the post with the goalkeeper was beaten.

6’ (1-0) Zebbug opened the score when a shot by Daniel Mesa Pineros following a prolonged action was partially saved by goalie Omar Xuereb and from the rebound, Lorenzo Atzori netted with a low drive.

10’ The Wanderers replied with a header by Aud-Gustine James Obaje from a free kick by Emerson Zammit that was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba but the striker was judged in an offside position.

17’ Victoria was dangerous when Sam Harland took the ball outside the area but his strike took a deflection by the defence and the ball ended wide.

20’ Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba was called to make a good intervention to block to corner a low shot by Owen Fenech.

24’ The Wanderers kept insisting and a shot from outside the area by Emerson Zammit was deflected over the crossbar by the defence.

26’ Zebbug’s keeper was well placed and saved a low shot by Aud-Gustine James Obaje after receiving from Owen Fenech.

40’ (1-1) Victoria scored the equaliser when Owen Fenech received the ball on the left flank, passed by his direct opponent and fired a goal with a low shot.

HT (1-1)

Second Half

The match became much more interesting during the second period as the two sides tried to take the lead.  However, the two defensive departments were well organised and managed to keep their respective area clear from danger and serious actions on goal were rare.

19’ (2-1) Zebbug regained the lead when Victoria’s goalie Omar Xuereb partially saved a curling shot by Matthion Formosa and from the rebound, Lorenzo Atzori addressed towards goal with the ball hitting the post and bounced on the goalkeeper Omar Xuereb and ended in the net.

22’ (2-2) The Wanderers had an immediate reaction and levelled the score through a low strike from outside the area by Aud-Gustine James that surprised Zebbug’s keeper.

30’ Victoria went very close to score but a low shot from n unmarked position by Joseph Saliba was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba.

45+3’ (penalty missed – saved) Zebbug could have obtained a dramatic win when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by David Udo Monday on Lorenzo Atzori, but the shot from the spot kick by Daniel Mesa Pineros was saved by Victoria’s substitute goalkeeper Andre Micallef.

FT (ZR 2 – SKVW 2)

Referee: Vladimir Rizoski