SK Victoria Wanderers turn a defeat into a convincing win

4 February 2023

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 10) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Gharb Rangers FC: 2

SK Victoria Wanderers: 5

12’ (1-0) Cyriel Buttigieg

16’ (2-0) Gabriel Soarez Souza

29’ (2-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

38’ (2-2) Joseph George Vella

45+2’ (2-3) Aud-Gustine James Obaje

48’ (2-4) Emerson Zammit

73’ (2-5) Joseph George Vella

Gharb R:

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

SK Victoria W:

O. Xuereb (A. Micallef), N. Camilleri, A. Refalo, A.J. Obaje, E. Bugeja (T. Azzopardi), E. Zammit, S. Harland, S.F. Bajada, O. Fenech (M. Gafa), J.G. Vella, L. Fenech (C. Buttigieg).

SK Victoria Wanderers recovered from a difficult start and a deficit of two goals to register a 5-2 win over bottom-placed Gharb Rangers.  This was the last match of the second round for the two sides and both teams needed a win for different ambitions.  The Wanderers were aiming to consolidate their sole leadership while Gharb was seeking to obtain their first win in the campaign.

Gharb surprised their more quoted opponents during the early stages and seemed heading towards a surprise result as they opened a two-goal lead midway through the first half.  However, the Wanderers had a good reaction and turned the result in their favour with three goals scored before the end of the first half.  Gharb was demoralised and during the second period, the Citizens dominated the encounter and also managed to score two more goals.

Timeline:

Gharb came out more aggressive and capitalised from two attempts towards Victoria’s goal within the opening quarter of an hour of play.  However, the Wanderers recovered from the shock and re-opened the issue just before the half-hour of play so they managed to turn the result in their favour by adding two more goals before the break.

12’ (0-1) Gharb opened the score when Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza entered Victoria’s area from the left flank and from his low pass Cyriel Buttigieg deposited in goal despite the challenge of his direct opponent.

16’ (0-2) Victoria were shocked and the Rangers doubled the score through a personal action by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza who entered Victoria’s territory, avoided two direct opponents and surprised the goalkeeper with a fine strike from outside the area.

21’ (crossbar) Victoria went close to score but an attempt by Neil Camilleri from a good position was stopped by the crossbar.

29’ (1-2) The Wanderers had a reaction and reduced the deficit with a goal scored by Aud-Gustine James Obaje entered Gharb’s area with personal action, turned around the goalkeeper and netted easily into an open goal.

38’ (2-2) Victoria scored the equaliser when Joseph George Vella entered Gharb’s area with personal action and concluded in goal with a low shot as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.

45+2’ (2-3) The Wanderers kept insisting and took the lead with a third goal that arrived through Aud-Gustine James Obaje who was released inside Gharb’s territory with a through pass by Joseph George Vella and the former netted easily in goal.

HT (2-3)

Second Half

The Wanderers maintained their momentum after the break and continued to dominate their opponents so that they made sure of the win by scoring two more goals.

3’ (2-4) The Wanderers increased their lead when Emerson Zammit was released inside Gharb’s territory from the midfield, entered the area and netted with a low drive.

25’ Victoria could have scored another goal when Emerson Zammit delivered an inviting cross towards the goalmouth from the right but Joseph George Vella’s attempt from close distance was weak and goalie Etienne Bajada saved the danger.

28’ (2-5) Gharb continued to suffer Victoria’s play and the Citizens scored the fifth goal that arrived with a tap-in by Joseph George Vella after receiving from Emerson Zammit.

FT (GR 2- SKVW 5)

Referee: Raymond Tabone