Holders Zebbug reach semi-finals with a close win

27 March 2023

GFA Division II KO Prel Rd Gozo Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC: 1

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0

80’ (1-0) Lorenzo Atzori

Zebbug R:

B. Saliba, M. Formosa (G. Debrincat), A. Abela, C. Gauci, R. Saliba, L. Atzori (O, Atzori), D. Mesa Pineros, E. Gauci, C. Cauchi, P. Muscat (M. Gauci), M. Grech.

St Lawrence S:

J. Xiberras, M. Dingli, A. Ademilua, G. Portelli, C. Grima, V.J. Saliba, L. Portelli (T. Grech), J. Grima, J.M. Portelli (C. Azzopardi, J. Saliba), W. Hili, J. Axiak.

Zebbug Rovers obtained a close win over Sty Lawrence Spurs and retained the possibility to defend the second most important honour for the second division for another season.  The match was conditioned by a strong wind that made it difficult for the two sides to manoeuvre.  As a result, each side held more possession than the opponent for half each but the actions on the respective goal were quite rare.

Holders Zebbug clinched the qualification with a goal that arrived near the end of the match. During the final stages, the play became exciting as St Lawrence pushed more players forward to score the equaliser.  In the semi-final stage, Zebbug will play against Munxar Falcons.

Timeline:

Play during the first period took place in the midfield as the two defensive departments prevailed over the respective strikers so that the actions on goal were rare.  Zebbug had the wind blowing in their favour but they failed to capitalise on their few potential scoring opportunities.

13’ Zebbug’s Ryan Saliba had a shot from outside the area but the ball ended away from the goal.

25’ The Rovers went very close to open the score but a shot from close distance by Lorenzo Atzori following a low cross from the right by Peter Muscat ended on the side of the net.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

St Lawrence was more aggressive and maintained territorial supremacy for long stretches while Zebbug defended well and created some offensive actions with sporadic breaks to keep the qualification uncertain.

1’ St Lawrence’s Wayne Hili had a shot from a long distance but the ball missed the target.

17’ The Spurs once again threatened Zebbug’s defence with an attempt directly from a free kick by James Grima but defender Carl Gauci blocked the danger.

18’ St Lawrence could have created more danger when Adebayo Ademilua passed through Zebbug’s defence but his shot from the edge of the area ended away from goal.

35’ (1-0) Zebbug broke the deadlock when Ryan Saliba took the ball from St Lawrence’s defence and released Lorenzo Atzori who concluded quickly in goal with a low drive.

37’ (crossbar) St Lawrence went very close to level the score but an attempt directly from a free kick by Wayne Hili was stopped by the crossbar.

41’ The Spurs missed another opportunity where they could have created danger but a strike by James Grima missed the target.

43’ St Lawrence kept insisting and a shot from outside the area by Victor John Saliba ended high.

45+5’ The Spurs went very close to level the score and forcing extra time but a strike by Wayne Hili after receiving from James Grima ended just over the crossbar.

FT (ZR 1 – SLS 0)

Referee: Joseph Scerri