Zebbug reach Munxar at the third place

12 March 2023

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II (MD 14) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Gharb Rangers FC : 2

Zebbug Rovers FC : 5

18’ (1-0) Christian Cardona

45’ (1-1) Matthion Formosa

55’ (1-2) Ryan Saliba

60’ (1-3) Lorenzo Atzori

62’ (1-4) Matthew Grech

69’ (2-4) Christian Cardona

82’ (2-5) Lorenzo Atzori

Gharb R:

V. Agius, S. Farrugia, C. Cutajar (A. Cini), C. Cardona (D. Vella), M. Tabone (J. Xerri), C. Buttigieg (S. Azzopardi), J. Buttigieg, D. Galea, V.G. Soarez Souza, O. Calleja, N. Attard (R. Portelli).

Zebbug R:

F. Portelli, M. Formosa, C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori, D. Mesa Pineros (E. Farhat), E. Gauci, C. Cauchi, P. Muscat (F. Camilleri), M. Grech, J. Magro (O. Atzori).

Zebbug Rovers returned to winning ways, after a long period where they compromised their ambitions to remain among the challengers for promotion, with a 5-2 win over bottom-placed Gharb Rangers.  With the points obtained Zebbug regained the third spot of the table on equal points with Munxar Falcons.

In this match, Zebbug seemed to head towards another disappointing result as Gharb were in the lead until the last minute of play of the first period.  However, the Rovers levelled the score just before the break and paved the way to the win by scoring three more goals in the space of seven minutes during the opening stages of the second half.

Timeline:

During the first half, the match turned out to be more interesting than expected as Gharb had a positive performance since they were aiming to register their first win in the campaign.  The Rangers took the lead but conceded Zebbug’s reaction near the end of the first period so the outcome remained uncertain.

18’ (1-0) Gharb opened the score with a goal scored by Christian Cardona.

45’ (1-1) Zebbug recovered from the shock and scored the equaliser through Matthion Formosa.

HT (1-1)

Second Half

The Rovers maintained their momentum after the break and turned the result in their favour during the first minutes of play of the second period so that they administered their comfortable lead until the end of the encounter.

10’ (1-2) The Rovers completed their comeback and took the lead with a goal scored by Ryan Saliba.

15’ (1-3) Zebbug kept insisting and added another goal through Lorenzo Atzori.

17’ (1-4) The Rovers practically made sure of the three points by increasing their lead to three goals when Matthew Grech concluded behind Gharb’s keeper Victor Agius.

24’ (2-4) Gharb reduced the deficit with a second goal scored again by Christian Cardona.

37’ (2-5) Zebbug re-established the three-goal lead through Lorenzo Atzori.

FT (GT 2 – ZR 5)

Referee: Jason Portelli