17 December 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 9) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 0
Oratory Youths FC : 0
71’ (penalty missed – saved) Henrique Da Silva Wilker (XU)
86’ (red card) Michael Bezzina (XU)
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, L. Almeida Da Silva, C. Gauci, M. Bezzina, C. Camilleri (M.P. Camilleri 86), D.
Azzopardi, D. Mesa Pineros, M. Cordina (J. Xuereb 66), F.J. Xuereb, H. Da Silva Wilker.
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, A. Sultana, P. Rapa, K. Saliba, J. Buttigieg, L.B. Coca, N. Said, H. Muscat (O. Curmi
88), L.G. Santos Silva, R. Almeida Lopes, G. Rocha Mendes Da Silva.
In the first match from Match-day 9 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, Xaghr
United and Oratory Youths shared the spoils in a goalless draw and at the end of the encounter
the two sides left the field disappointed as the points obtained were not enough to improve their
position on the table. As it turned out, with the results of the other matches, Oratory ended up at
the bottom of the table while Xaghra are joining the second place from the bottom with Kercem
Ajax.
The final score however is a just result as the two sides had their moments where they could
have obtained a win. For most of the time, Xaghra saw more of the ball but did not manage to
convert their play into good scoring opportunities. Xaghra also missed a good chance to score
when they were awarded a penalty midway through the second period but Oratory’s goalie
Angelo Brignoli distinguished himself with a fine save to turn the ball to a corner. Oratory
produced their best patch of play during the last part of the encounter particularly when Xaghra
were reduced to ten players but the score remained blocked until the final whistle.
Timeline:
Play during the first half was quite balanced although Xaghra were more adventurous with
vertical actions. However, Oratory were disciplined in their defence and managed to be as
dangerous as their opponents so the match turned out to be quite interesting
with various potential scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field.
4’ (crossbar) Oratory could have opened the score at an early stage but an effort by Gregory
Rocha Mendes Da Silva was stopped by the crossbar.
13’ Xaghra relied on through a shot by Matthias Cordina that ended wide.
18’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra protested for a penalty alleging handling by the defence to block a
cross by Henrique Da Silva Wilker and from the resultant action the shot by Daniel Mesa
Pineros missed the target.
20’ Xaghra could have created more danger but an attempt by Henrique Da Silva Wilker ended
wide.
24’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was called to make a difficult intervention to turn to a corner
an attempt from a good position by Keith Saliba.
32’ Xaghra’s Matthias Cordina tried to surprise Oratory’s goalie with a good shot but the ball
missed the target.
45’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra produced danger within Oratory’s territory through an initiative
by Carl Gauci who entered the area but his cross was blocked by the defence among protests
for a penalty alleging handling.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Xaghra continued to be the better side after the break but as time passed by Oratory came out
of their defence particularly through counter breaks so that the two sides could have scored the
decisive goal.
5’ Xaghra’s Henrique Da Silva Wilker released Chris Camilleri but the latter saw his shot that
was blocked by the defence.
9’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli was well placed and neutralised a header by Michael Bezzina
following a cross by Henrique Da Silva Wilker.
11’ Xaghra’s goalie made an important intervention to deny Joshua Buttigieg from concluding in
goal an inviting cross by Rain Almeida Lopes.
15’ Xaghra were again dangerous when Michael Bezzina delivered a good cross inside
Oratory’s area Henrique Da Silva Wiker missed the opportunity to conclude towards the goal but the
ball arrived to an unmarked Chris Camilleri who saw his attempt blocked by the defence.
25’ (penalty missed – saved) Xaghra had a golden opportunity to put their heads ahead when they
were awarded a penalty for a foul by Neil Said on Chris Camilleri, but the shot from the spot kick
by Henrique Da Silva Wilker was saved by Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli.
31’ (crossbar) Oratory almost punished their opponents for the missed chance when an effort by
Rain Almeida Lopes was saved by Xaghra’s keeper Lorjean Xuereb with the aid of the crossbar
and from the rebound, the shot from close distance by Neil Said was blocked by the defence.
37’ Oratory’s Rain Almeida Lopes produced a good personal action within Xaghra’s territory but
his final shot ended away from goal.
41’ (red card) Xaghra had to play the last part of the encounter with a player less than Michael
Bezzina was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in the midfield.
44’ Xaghra had their last opportunity to clinch the win when substitute Michael Paul Camilleri
delivered a cross from the right flank but Daniel Mesa Pineros headed weak and missed the
opportunity to conclude towards the goal.
45+1’ Oratory once again threatened Xaghra’s defence but a free kick by Rain Almeida Lopes
missed the target.
45+3’ Oratory could have obtained a dramatic win when Xaghra’s defence did not manage to
clear the ball from the danger area following a free kick but various attempts by Oratory
players were blocked and from the resultant melee the final shot by Rain Almeida Lopes ended
over the crossbar.
FT (XU 0 – OY 0)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Asst. Referees: Robert Curtis, Raiden Psaila
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