23 September 2023
GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (MD 3) Kercem Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC: 2
Munxar Falcons FC: 5
5’ (0-1) Nathaniel Mercieca
7’ (0-2) Nathaniel Mercieca
28’ (0-3) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza
35’ (0-4) Luke Meilak
37’ (1-4) o.g. Keith Borg
43’ (2-4) Nathan John Cini
68’ (red card) Stefan Farrugia (ZR)
85’ (2-5) Luke Meilak
Zebbug R:
L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri, M. Formosa (G. Grech 30), O. Calleja, R. Grech (E. Farhat 62), M.A. Moreno Ampudia, C. Debono, N.J. Cini, R. Saliba, L. Portelli (N. Camilleri 67), S. Farrugia.
Munxar F:
J. Micallef, K. Borg, E. Bugeja, K. Farrugia, N. Mifsud, L. Meilak, N. Mercieca, M. Zammit (G. Cauchi 87), S. Muscat (M. Debrincat 60), V.G. Soarez Souza, E. Galea (P. Parnis 63).
Munxar Falcons recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match and obtained their second win in the first phase of the Challenge Cup for the lower category by defeating Zebbug Rovers. Munxar’s 5-2 win matured with four goals scored during the first period so that they were in a position to administer play without difficulty for the rest of the match and sealed the result with a goal that arrived a few minutes away from the final whistle.
The two teams took the field of play with the intention of obtaining a victory to keep close to the two teams who were in the top positions. Zebbug was disappointed in this match as they were coming from a win in the previous match and were expected to be serious challengers for the three points. However, Munxar’s aggressive start surprised their opponents and the Falcons opened a deserved four-goal lead. Munxar continued to be the better side on the field despite the fact that Zebbug scored two goals near the end of the first half.
Timeline:
Munxar had an excellent start and scored two early goals so Zebbug were demoralised and continued to suffer play for most of the remaining minutes of the first half.
5’ (0-1) Munxar opened the score with a goal that arrived through a shot from an angled position by Nathaniel Mercieca that surprised the goalkeeper.
7’ (0-2) Munxar’s Nathaniel Mercieca once again passed through Zebbug’s defence and doubled the score when he netted with a low shot.
14’ Zebbug could have reduced the deficit bit a shot from an ideal position by Paul Spiteri following a free kick from a long distance by Christian Debono missed the target.
28’ (0-3) Munxar continued to be more dangerous and added another goal when Neil Mifsud passed inside Zebbug’s area to Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza and the latter turned around his direct opponent and concluded in goal with a low shot.
34’ Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri was well placed and managed to save a header by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza following a corner kick by Neil Mifsud.
35’ (0-4) Munxar continued to dominate over their opponents and scored their fourth goal when a low cross from the right flank by Neil Mifsud arrived at Luke Meilak and the latter had his shot that ended in the net despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.
37’ (1-4) Zebbug reduced the score through an own goal when Munxar’s central defender Keith Borg was overconfident and his back pass surprised the goalkeeper and the ball ended in the net.
43’ (2-4) The Rovers managed to score a second goal that arrived through an initiative by Nathan John Cini who passed inside Munxar’s area with a personal action and fired in goal from an ideal position.
HT (2-4)
Second Half
Munxar regained command of play from the early stages of the second period while Zebbug continued to find it difficult to create offensive play so that the actions on goal became rare.
23’ (red card) Zebbug were reduced to ten players when Stefan Farrugia was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in the midfield on Matthew Zammit.
34’ Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri denied Munxar from scoring another goal when he blocked a shot on the run by Neil Mifsud following a low pass from the right flank by Matthew Zammit.
38’ Zebbug’s best opportunity to re-open the issue arrived through an attempt directly from a free kick by Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia that was blocked with some difficulty by Munxar’s keeper Joel Micallef.
40’ (2-5) Munxar added another goal when Nathaniel Mercieca entered Zebbug’s area from the right flank, his cross was partially saved by goalie Leonard Camilleri and Luke Meilak took the opportunity and fired in goal from an unmarked position.
FT (ZR 2 – MF 5)
Referee: Rapjan Xhyra
Asst. Referees: Ranald Portelli, Paula Buttigieg
0 Comments