Munxar take the top spot with a win over Sannat

11 November 2023

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

Munxar Falcons FC : 2

Sannat Lions FC : 0

69’ (1-0) Nathaniel Mercieca

90+6’ (2-0) Nathaniel Mercieca

Munxar F:

J. Micallef, P. Parnis, E. Bugeja, K. Farrugia, N. Mifsud, N. Mercieca, M. Zammit (O. Spiteri 75), S. Muscat, V.G. Soarez Souza, E. Galea, K. Mizzi (L. Meilak 61).

Sannat L:

K. Attard, G. Portelli, G. Debrincat, E. Gauci, N. Grima, D. Borg, A. Abela (T. Agius 90), P. Muscat (P. Said 65), M. Mifsud, C. Buttigieg, B. Kanta.

In the main match from Match-Day 2 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division, Munxar Falcons obtained three precious points from a 2-0 win over Sannat Lions so that the Falcons became leaders on the table.

The two teams were aiming for a win from the encounter not only because the match between Sannat and Munxar is considered as a derby match between the neighbours, but the two sides obtained a win in their respective opening match of the campaign and therefore they needed to extend their good start.  However, in this match, Munxar seemed more organised and motivated.  The Falcons also created more scoring opportunities so the win was well deserved.

With this result, Munxar may be considered as a serious challenger for promotion to the hot favourites Victoria Hotspurs and the same Sannat as they expressed a character, particularly in their approach to such an important encounter.  The win for Munxar was a collective effort as they were solid in every department but the hero of the match was undoubtedly Nathaniel Mercieca who created a continuous threat to Sannat’s defence and also scored the two goals which decided the issue.

Timeline:

The match was quite interesting during the opening stages as Munxar took the initiative of play and held territorial supremacy.  However, Sannat defended well and for most of the time they managed to control Munxar’s strikers and operated danger through sporadic breaks so that the outcome of the encounter remained uncertain.

11’ (post) Munxar went very close to open the score when a corner kick by Neil Mifsud passed over the defence and the goalkeeper but ended on the post.  From the rebound, the ball arrived to Kenneth Mizzi but the latter hit badly and the attempt ended away from goal.

22’ Munxar were dangerous when Nathaniel Mercieca delivered a cross from the right-hand side, the defence failed to clear the danger but Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza headed over the crossbar from a close distance.

35’ (crossbar) Sannat went close to score in their first serious attempt towards Munxar’s goal as an attempt directly from a free kick by Boubacar Kanta was deflected by goalie Joel Micallef with the aid of the crossbar.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

After the resumption, the match became much more interesting as the two sides tried to push more players forward. During the first part of the second half the two sides continued to find it difficult to create serious scoring opportunities and the win could have gone either way.  However, Munxar broke the deadlock midway through the second half and continued to administer play until the end of the encounter.

24’ (1-0) Munxar took the lead through a direct free kick from Nathaniel Mercieca that surprised Sannat’s goalkeeper.

35’ Munxar could have created more danger but a first-timer from an angled position by substitute Luke Meilak ended wide.

37’ Sannat continued to find it very difficult to produce a reaction but had an attempt directly from a free kick by substitute Paul Said that was easily saved by goalie Joel Micallef.

41’ Sannat had another opportunity from a free kick but the attempt by Boubacar Kanta ended high.

45+1’ Munxar went very close to seal the win but an effort by Neil Mifsud ended over the crossbar.

45+2’ Sannat’s last opportunity to save the result arrived when substitute Tristan Agius delivered the ball towards the goalmouth but the header by Daniel Borg ended wide.

45+6’ (2-0) Munxar made sure of the win by scoring a second goal second from the final whistle when Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza entered Sannat’s area following a counter break but his shot that was partially saved by goalie Kyle Attard.  However, Nathaniel Mercieca arrived on the ball from the rebound and fired into the goal with a low shot.

FT (MF 2 – SL 0)

Referee: Daniel Portelli

Asst. Referees: Maxlee Muscat, Robert Curtis