26 March 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I: P/O (MD 19) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 3
6’ (0-1) Brandon Said
29’ (1-1) penalty Pedro Augusto Mota De Lima
32’ (1-2) Ricardo Silva Faria
57’ (2-2) Kurt Bajada
68’ (2-3) Ricardo Silva Faria
Ghajnsielem:
A. Parnis (C. Camilleri), K. Borg (T. Sciberras), A. Xuereb, D. Farrugia, J.P. Oliveira Santos (J.
Vella), N.I. Belhadj, K. Grima, K. Bajada, M.A. Scicluna (K. Saliba), P.A. Mota De Lima, P. Dos
Santos Cruz.
Victoria H:
K. Barbara, D.C. Kassekar, O.G. Fernandes, B. Said, N. Inguanez, L. Mancuso Lemos Santos
Ferreira, S. Sillato (J. Pace), A. Debrincat (L. Farrugia), C. Caruana (J. Azzopardi), R. Silva
Faria, E. Xiberras.
In the penultimate Match-Day of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, Victoria
Hotspurs registered a 3-2 win over Ghajnsielem and with the points obtained they made sure to
avoid direct relegation to the lower category next season. Thus, Sannat Lions ended up
mathematically relegated, while the Hotspurs will have an opportunity to defend their division I
status through a play-off against the runners-up of the second division campaign Xaghra
United.
Although the Hotspurs were more motivated to obtain a win from this match, Ghajnsielem were
playing without any pressure but were still aiming to register the fifth consecutive win in the Play-
Out Phase. The outcome of the encounter remained uncertain as Ghajnsielem managed to
recover the deficit on two occasions and for some time during the second period, they seemed
close to turn the result in their favour. However, the Hotspurs managed to achieve their
objective with a decisive goal that arrived midway through the second period but Ghajnsielem
did not manage to score a third equaliser.
Timeline:
The Hotspurs came out determined to take control of play while Ghajnsielem tried to control the
an initiative of their opponents and operated some offensive actions which created danger on
Victoria’s goal. The play turned out the be quite interesting with good scoring opportunities at the
two ends of the field of play
4’ Ghajnsielem were dangerous through a shot by Alberto Xuereb from a good position but the
the ball ended high.
6’ (0-1) The Hotspurs opened the score when Ghajnsielem’s defence failed to clear a cross
from the right by Ricardo Silva Faria and Brandon Said took full advantage of the situation and
concluded in goal from close distance.
10’ Ghajnsielem replied with a curling shot by Pedro Augusto Mota De Lima after receiving
from Kurt Grima but the ball ended just over the crossbar.
21’ Victoria’s Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes entered Ghajnsielem’s area with a personal action but
his final shot ended wide.
23’ Victoria could have created more danger when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes delivered a
cross inside Ghajnsielem’s area but Brandon Said hesitated to conclude and his attempt was
blocked by the goalkeeper.
24’ Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara was called to make a good save to turn to a corner a shot by
Alberto Xuereb.
29’ (1-1) penalty Ghajnsielem levelled the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul
by Samuel Sillato on Pedro Augusto Mota De Lima and the same striker made no mistake
with his shot from the penalty spot.
32’ (1-2) The Hotspurs were not demoralised and regained the lead when a strike by Olimpio
Gabriel Fernandes was partially saved by Ghajnsielem’s goalie Adrian Parnis and from the
rebound Ricardo Silva Faria placed in goal with a low drive.
44’ The Hotspurs went again close to score but an effort by Brandon Said ended high.
45+1’ Victoria’s Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes threatened Ghajnsielem’s rear guard with a
personal action but his shot was finally blocked to a corner by the defence.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
The match continued to be well contested after the break as Ghajnsielem increased their efforts
in an attempt to recover the score while the Hotspurs showed character, particularly after
conceding Ghajnsielem’s equaliser, to push forward and to obtain the decisive goal of the
encounter.
5’ Ghajnsielem’s substitute goalkeeper Carlos Camilleri was well placed and blocked a good
an attempt by Victoria’s Brandon Said.
9’ Ghajnsielem replied with a good effort by Patrick Dos Santos crux that was saved by
Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara.
10’ Ghajnsielem’s goalie was again called to make an effective intervention to save a shot by
Andrea Debrincat.
12’ (2-2) Ghajnsielem scored the second equaliser when Victoria’s defence blocked two
consecutive shot by Alberto Xuereb and at the end the ball arrived to Kurt Bajada who saw his
strike ending in the net despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.
18’ Ghajnsielem grew in confidence and were dangerous when a corner kick by Pedro Augusto
Mota De Lima arrived to Patrick Dos Santos Cruz but the latter’s header ended high.
23’ (2-3) The Hotspurs scored the goal that decided the issue when substitute Justin Azzopardi
delivered a cross inside Ghajnsielem’s area, a shot by Andrea Debrincat was blocked by the
defence and from the rebound Ricardo Silva Faria fired in goal from close distance.
26’ The Hotspurs were again dangerous but a shot by Brandon Said following a cross by
Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes was blocked by the defence.
35’ Victoria missed another opportunity to increase their lead but a shot by Lucas Mancuso
ended high.
42’ The Blacks went very close to level the score but a good shot by Patrick Dis Santos Cruz
was well saved by Victoria’s goalie Kyle Barbara.
FT (GHJ 2 – VH 3)
Referee: Andrea Sciriha
0 Comments