19 December 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 5) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 4
Zebbug Rovers FC : 1
16’ (0-1) Stefan Farrugia
20’ (1-1) Boubacar Kanta
28’ (2-1) penalty Boubacar Kanta
71’ (3-1) Eric Gauci
75’ (4-1) Boubacar Kanta
Sannat L:
K. Attard, K. Xuereb, E. Gauci, N. Grima (M. Farrugia 85), P. Said (C. Dingli 74), D. Borg, T. Agius, M. Mifsud, A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg, B. Kanta.
Zebbug R:
L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri, O. Saliba (H. Paulin 46), M. Formosa (G. Grech 84), M.A. Moreno Ampudia, P.P. Camilleri, N.J. Cini, R. Saliba, L. Portelli, S. Farrugia (J. Magro 84) , J. Azzopardi (K. Mifsud 76).
Sannat Lions extended a good moment of form and obtained a comfortable 4-1 win over Zebbug Rovers in the last match-day of the first round. With this result, Sannat confirmed their potential to be among the challengers for promotion.
Zebbug tried to surprise their opponents during the first part of the match. The Rovers managed to take the lead but they ended up conceding Sannat’s reaction as the latter came from behind by scoring two goals in each half so that Sannat put their minds at rest from the three points at an early stage. The protagonist in Sannat’s win was undoubtedly their striker Boubacar Kanta who was a continuous threat to Zebbug’s rear guard and also marked his performance by scoring three personal goals.
Timeline:
During the first minute of play, Zebbug seemed well deployed and shared possession with their opponents in an attempt to obtain a positive result and move closer to the top positions. The Rovers surprised Sannat with an early goal but they tried to maintain composure and ended up conceding pressure. Sannat scored the equaliser midway through the first half and continued to dominate over their opponent so that they turned the result in their favour from a penalty converted before the half-hour mark.
16’ (0-1) Zebbug opened the score when Sannat’s defence failed to clear the ball from the danger area following a corner action and Stefan Farrugia took the opportunity and fired in goal from close distance.
17’ Sannat produced a reaction and could have levelled the score but an effort by Boubacar Kanta from an ideal position missed the target.
18’ The same striker missed another good opportunity to score the equaliser but his strike ended away from goal.
20’ (1-1) Sannat recovered the deficit through a fine header by Boubacar Kanta following a corner action.
28’ (2-1) penalty Sannat were awarded a penalty for a foul by Ryan Saliba on Boubacar Kanta and the same striker converted his shot from the spot kick,
HT (2-1)
Second Half
After the break, Zebbug tried to produce a reaction but they failed to create serious scoring opportunities as Sannat maintained control of play and made sure of the win by scoring two more goals.
7’ Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri was well placed and blocked a low shot by Boubacar Kanta following a solo action.
14’ (goal disallowed) Sannat’s Boubacar Kanta passed through Zebbug’s defence and placed in goal with a low shot but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
16’ Zebbug went closest to level the score when Stefan Farrugia won the tussle for the ball with Sannat’s goalie but his final attempt from a good position ended wide.
17’ Sannat replied with another good shot by Boubacar Kanta that was well saved by goalie Leonard Camilleri.
19’ Zebbug’s substitute Harry Paulin had a shot from a good position that missed the target.
26’ (3-1) Sannat increased their lead when Aaron Azzopardi delivered the ball towards the far post from a corner kick and Eric Gauci had his close ranged shot that was blocked by the defence debut from the rebound the same player concluded in goal from close distance.
30’ (4-1) Sannat sealed the win by scoring the fourth goal that arrived through a personal initiative by Boubacar Kanta who passed through Zebbug’s defence, turned around the goalkeeper and placed easily onto an open goal.
38’ Sannat could have added another goal but a good shot by Boubacar Kanta from a good position ended just wide.
FT (SL 4 – ZR 1)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Jules Ngangue
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