Rovers back to winning ways

29 January 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 9) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC : 3
Gharb Rangers FC : 1
10’ (1-0) Daniel Mesa Pineros
14’ (2-0) Daniel Mesa Pineros
63’ (2-1) Omar Calleja
82’ (3-1) Manuel Gauci

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

Gharb R:
E. Bajada, C. Cutajar (D. Vella), C. Cardona (J. Xerri), C. Debrincat (M. Tabone), J.P. Grima, R. Portelli
(M. Ciangura), J. Buttigieg (S. Azzopardi), D. Galea, V.G. Soarez Souza, O. Calleja, N. Attard.

Zebbug Rovers recovered from the unexpected defeat conceded in their previous match and obtained
the full points at stake from a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Gharb Rangers. With this result, Zebbug
retained their runners-up position on the table while Gharb remain at the bottom place and without a win
after nine matches of the campaign.

Zebbug’s Columbian striker Daniel Mesa Pineros scored two goals at an early stage of the encounter
and the match seemed heading towards an easy win for the promotion challengers. However, Zebbug
took off their foot from the pedal at an early stage and allowed Gharb to re-open the issue. Zebbug
regained control of lay during the last part of the encounter and made sure of the win by scoring a third
goal that arrived a few minutes away from the end of regular time.

Timeline:
Zebbug came out determined to take command of play from the first minutes and managed to pave the
way to the win by scoring two early goals.
10’ (1-0) The Rovers opened the score with a goal scored by Daniel Mesa Pineros who surprised
Gharb’s defence is from a good position.
14’ (2-0) Gharb was shocked and conceded a second goal that arrived through an effort by Daniel
Mesa Pineros.
HT (2-0)
 
Second Half
Gharb seemed more confident after the break and tried to recover the deficit, particularly as Zebbug
became very erratic n their offensive play and found it difficult to increase their lead.
18’ (2-1) Gharb reduced the deficit when Omar Calleja fired n goal with a strike that did not allow any
opportunity for Zebbug’s goalie to block the danger.
37’ (3-1) Zebbug managed to re-establish the two-goal lead through a shot from long distance by
Manuel Gauci that ended out of the reach of Gharb’s goalie.

FT (ZR 3 -1 GR 1)
Referee: Raiden Psaila