Zebbug extend good moment of form with a close win

7 January 2023

GFA BOV GFL 2nd Division (MD 6) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

St Lawrence Spurs FC: 2
Zebbug Rovers : 3

25’ (0-1) Matthion Formosa
33’ (1-1) Victor John Saliba
47’ (1-2) Carl Gauci
60’ (2-2) Luke Portelli
75’ (2-3) Daniel Mesa Pineros

St Lawrence S:
J. Xiberras, M. Dingli, N. Haber (L. Portelli), T. Grech (J. Azzopardi), C. Grima, A. Haska, J. Grima (C.
Azzopardi), D. Micallef, W. Hili, J. Axiak.

Zebbug R:
B. Saliba, P. Spiteri, M. Formosa (N.J. Cini), A. Abela, C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori (O. Atzori), D. Mesa
Pineros, E. Gauci, C. Cauchi, P. Muscat (M. Grech).

Zebbug Rovers remain the main challengers for promotion to the current leaders SK Victoria Wanderers
as they registered their fourth win in the campaign in their match again St Lawrence Spurs. Zebbug’s 3-
2 win over the Spurs was hard-earned as the latter were worthy opponents and seemed determined to
obtain another positive result.

In this match, Zebbug confirmed their potential in attack as they managed to take advantage from their
best scoring opportunities. The Rovers also defended well during the final stages so that they
neutralised St Lawrence’s efforts in an attempt to save the result.

Timeline:
The play was quite balanced during the first minutes but as time passed by Zebbug became more
dangerous than their opponents. The Spurs were not demoralised and produced a good reaction as
soon as they conceded Zebbug’s first goal so that the two sides took the break on a draw of two goals.

21’ (crossbar) The Rovers could have opened the sore but a strike by Carl Gauci hit the crossbar with
the ball bouncing on the goal line among protests that the ball may have crossed the fatal line.
25’ (0-1) Zebbug managed to open the score through a close-ranged shot by Matthion Formosa
following a corner kick by Carl Gauci.
33’ (1-1) The Spurs scored the equaliser through a header by Victor John Saliba following a corner
kick by Alen Haska.
HT (1-1)
 
Second Half
Zebbug regained some command of play after the break but St Lawrence continued to show character
as they remained in contention for a positive result until the final whistle.
2’ (1-2) Zebbug regained the lead through a header by Carl Gauci following a corner kick by Matthion
Formosa.
15’ (2-2) St Lawrence was rewarded for their efforts and scored their second equaliser when Zebbug’s
defender Anthony Abela and goalie Baskal Saliba hesitated to clear the ball from their area so that
substitute Luke Portelli took advantage of the situation and placed into an open goal.
30’ (2-3) Zebbug scored the goal that decided the issue when Daniel Mesa Pineros won the ball from
St Lawrence’s defence and netted from a close distance.
37’ (post) The Spurs went very close to level the score but a good shot by Victor John Saliba hit the
post.

FT (SLS 2 – ZR 3)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella