Victoria Hotspurs defeat Zebbug with two goals in each half

21 October 2023

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 1) Kercem Stadium

Zebbug Rovers FC: 1

Victoria Hotspurs FC : 4

34’ (0-1) Shaun Attard

39’ (1-1) Pierre Paul Camilleri

45’ (1-2) Lorenzo Atzori

59’ (1-3) Lucas Farrugia

76’ (1-4) Wellington Valentim De Sousa

84’ (red card) Ryan Saliba (ZR)

Zebbug R:

L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri, R. Saliba, M.A. Moreno Ampudia, J. Azzopardi (M. Formosa 74),  P.P. Camilleri , L. Portelli, H. Paulin, N.J. Cini, S. Farrugia, G. Grech (R. Grech 74).

Victoria H:

R. Sammut, L. Grima, O. Cremona, L. Farrugia, L. Atzori (J.G. Vella 85), S. Attard, J. Buttigieg, D. Farrugia, D. Mercieca, C. Caruana (G. Borg 85), W. Valentim De Sousa (J. Grech 78).

Hot favourites for promotion Victoria Hotspurs had an excellent start in the campaign as they registered a convincing 4-1 win over Zebbug Rovers.  The match turned out to be quite balanced during the first period but the Hotspurs dominated play after the break and the win was practically sealed before the hour mark.

In this match, Zebbug tried to be a strong challenger to the Citizens.  They managed to produce a reaction after conceding the first goal but as time passed by they ended up chasing their opponents and threw the towel after they conceded the third goal.

Timeline:

Zebbug came out more aggressive and during the first part of the encounter they dictated matters and created their best scoring opportunities.  The Hotspurs struggled to produce a reaction during the first half hour of play but as time passed by they managed to come out of their defence.  The match became more contested and the Hotspurs managed to impose their experience so that they ended the first half in the lead with the odd goal from three.

3’ Zebbug could have scored an early goal but a shot by Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia ended just high.

17’ The Rovers were again dangerous when Victoria’s defence cleared badly from their area and the ball arrived to Harry Paulin who saw his strike that was well saved by Victoria’s goalie Richard Sammut.

34’ (0-1) The Hotspurs opened the score when Zebbug’s defence failed to clear a low cross from the right by Wellington Valentim De Sousa and the ball arrived to Shaun Attard who netted with a low drive.

39’ (1-1) Zebbug had an immediate reaction and levelled the score with a shot from a long-range free kick by Pierre Paul Camilleri that surprised Victoria’s goalie Richard Sammut.

45’ (1-2) The Hotspurs regained the lead when Wellington Valentim De Sousa entered Zebbug’s area and from his low pass Lorenzo Atzori netted with a back heel that surprised Zebbug’s defence and the goalkeeper

45+1’ Zebbug could have levelled the score but Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia hit badly from a good position and the ball ended wide.

HT (1-2)

Second Half

After the resumption, the Hotspurs took command of play and consolidated their lead with the third goal that arrived before the hour mark so that they were relieved from the pressure, administered the lead with authority and made sure of the win by scoring more goals.

14’ (1-3) Victoria increased their lead when Wellington Valentim De Sousa entered Zebbug’s area with a personal action but his shot was partially saved by goalie Leonard Camilleri.  However, Lucas Farrugia followed the action, took the rebound and netted with a low shot.

31’ (1-4) Zebbug were demoralised and conceded another goal when Lucas Farrugia passed through Zebbug’s defence inside the area and Wellington Valentim De Sousa took possession and concluded behind goalie Leonard Camilleri with the ball hitting the post before crossing the fatal line.

33’ Zebbug’s goalie was well placed and saved with difficulty a close-ranged header by Victoria’s Shaun Attard.

39’ (red card) The Rovers were reduced to ten players when central defender Ryan Saliba was sent off for denying Victoria’s substitute Joey Grech from entering the area.   

FT (ZR 1 – VH 4)

Referee: Ranald Portelli

Assistant Referees: Jean Pierre Mifsud, Luca Formosa