22 September 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 3) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
Xewkija Tigers FC : 3
37’ (1-0) Godwin Emmanuel
39’ (1-1) Matthias Bonnici
62’ (1-2) Matthias Mercieca
68’ (1-3) Rodney Buttigieg
76’ (2-3) Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa
Ghajnsielem:
L. Buttigieg, Al. Xuereb, L.H. Santana Motta, N.I. Belhadj, B. Da Cruz, I. Belhadj (D. Attard 54), An. Xuereb (K. Bajada 69), G. Emmanuel, W. Hili, M.A. Scicluna (T. Sciberras 54), C.H. Da Silva Barbosa.
Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, J. Axiak, J. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, R. Buttigieg, J. Vella (M. Mercieca 53), K. Farrugia (D. Andelovic 82), S. Xuereb, M. Bonnici (A. Debrincat 73), C. Abela, S. Tesic.
Xewkija Tigers recovered from a difficult start in their match against Ghajnsielem to obtain a 3-2 win and with the points obtained they secured the top of the table at the end of Match-Day 3. This was a match where the two sides were aiming to obtain a win. Ghajnsielem were coming from a win in their previous match while Xewkija were aiming to consolidate their positive start in the championship. For this match Xewkija had three regular payers, Matthias Mercieca, Aleksa Bozovic and Damir Andelovic; who were among the reserves since they are recovering from an injury.
For most of the time the match was well contested as Ghajnsielem pushed forward in an attempt to achieve their objective, while Xewkija produced an effective reaction as soon as they conceded Ghajnsielem’s first goal and ended up scoring three goals which determined the encounter. This result confirms Xewkija’s motivation to be serious challengers for the honours, and also Ghajnsielem’s defensive limitation as they already conceded eleven goals in their first three matches.
Timeline:
Play for most of the first half was well contested as Ghajnsielem seemed more aggressive but Xewkija were well deployed and managed to keep danger away from their area. As a result, the serious actions on goal were rare although the two sides capitalised from one occasion each.
17’ Ghajnsielem created the first scoring opportunity when Xewkija’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area following a corner action and Wayne Hili took advantage but his lob ended on the roof of the net.
25’ Xewkija replied through a strike by Rodney Buttigieg that was turned to a corner with difficulty by goalie Luke Buttigieg.
32’ The Tigers once again threatened Ghajnsielem’s defence but a low shot by John Axiak ended wide.
37’ (1-0) Ghajnsielem opened the score when Godwin Emmanuel passed through Xewkija’s defence inside the area and placed in goal with a curling shot that ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.
39’ (1-1) Xewkija had an immediate reaction. It levelled the score when Stefan Tesic delivered a low cross inside Ghajnsielem’s area and Matthis Bonnici was at an unmarked position and netted with a shot on the run.
45’ Ghajnsielem could have created more danger but a strike by Ishmael Belhadj ended just over the crossbar.
HT (1-1)
Second Half
After the resumption, Xewkija tried to be more offensive and managed to turn the result in their favour just after the hour mark so that they took control of play and made sure of the win by adding another goal. Ghajnsielem were not demoralised and managed to re-open the issue so that the final stages became much more exciting.
10’ Xewkija’s substitute Matthias Mercieca had a good shot from a good position that ended high.
17’ (1-2) Xewkija took the lead when Stefan Tesic took the ball from Ghajnsielem’s defence and passed it to an unmarked Matthias Mercieca who placed in goal with a low shot.
23’ (1-3) Xewkija increased the lead when Stefan Tesic released Rodney Buttigieg inside Ghajnsielem’s area and the latter concluded in goal with a low shot towards the far corner. This was a particular goal for Buttigieg as it was his 92nd goal with Xewkija Tigers and became the best scorer in Xewkija’s history.
31’ (2-3) Ghajnsielem reduced the deficit when they operated a counter break through Bruno da Cruz and from his action Claudio Enrique Da Silva Barbosa entered Xewkija’s area and netted with a low drive as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.
44’ Xewkija could have sealed the win with another goal but a low shot from outside the area by substitute Damir Andelovic ended just wide.
FT (GHJ 2 – XT 3)
Referee: Darryl Agius
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Wayne Sammut
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