6 January 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 6) Kercem Stadium
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 6
Zebbug Rovers FC: 1
4’ (1-0) penalty Joseph George Vella
20’ (2-0) penalty Wellington Valentim De Sousa
30’ (penalty missed – crossbar) Joston Azzopardi (ZR)
32’ (3-0) Wellington Valentim De Sousa
62’ (4-0) Lorenzo Atzori
64’ (4-1) Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia
70’ (5-1) Wellington Valentim De Sousa
88’ (6-1) Wellington Valentim De Sousa
Victoria H:
R. Sammut, L. Grima, L. Atzori, S. Attard, J. Buttigieg (C. Caruana 74), D. Farrugia, S.F. Bajada (J. Azzopardi 46), D. Mercieca, E. Xiberras, J.G. Vella, W. Valentim De Sousa.
Zebbug R:
L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri (B. Camilleri 74), O. Saliba, J. Attard, K. Mifsud (S. Farrugia 46), H. Paulin, M.A. Moreno Ampudia (J.P. Portelli 89), P.P. Camilleri, L. Portelli, C. Gafa (J. Magro 74).
Favourites for promotion Victoria Hotspurs recovered from the defeat conceded in their last match of the first round and registered a convincing 6-1 in in their first match of the second round against Zebbug Rovers.
The Hotspurs showed determination to make up for the disappointing performance in their previous match and held territorial supremacy for most of the ninety minutes. The Hotspurs paved the way to the win by scoring two early goals and resisted the reaction produced by Zebbug so that they ended up scoring a third goal and took the break with a comfortable three-goal lead. The Hotspurs continued to dictate matters during the second period and made sure of the victory by scoring three more goals. Victoria’s striker Wellington Valentim De Sousa was undoubtedly the main protagonist in this match as he scored four personal goals and consolidated his leadership as the top scorer of the category.
Timeline:
The Hotspurs came out more aggressive and produced pressure on Zebbug’s defence from the early stages. The Rovers struggled to neutralise Victoria’s play and ended the first half trailing by three goals.
4’ (1-0) penalty The Hotspurs opened the score when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Luke Portelli on Shaun Attard and Joseph George Vella converted from the spot kick.
13’ Zebbug replied with an attempt from a free kick by Joston Azzopardi but Victoria’s goalie Richard Sammut saved to a corner.
19’ (2-0) penalty Victoria Hotspurs were awarded a second penalty when goalie Leonard Camilleri was out of his position and hit Wellington Valentim De Sousa inside the area so that the same striker doubled the lead for his side by placing the ball in the net from the penalty spot.
21’ (goal disallowed) Zebbug nearly reduced the score when Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia headed in the net a cross from the right flank by Kurt Mifsud but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
29’ (penalty missed – crossbar) The Rovers missed an opportunity to re-open the issue when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Lawrence Grima on Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia but the shot from the penalty spot by Joston Azzopardi was stopped by the crossbar.
32’ (3-0) The Hotspurs increased their lead when Shaun Attard released Wellington Valentim De Sousa and the latter netted easily from a good position.
34’ Zebbug could have capitalised better when Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia passed inside Victoria’s area but he concluded badly and the ball ended away from goal.
35’ The Hotspurs replied with a fine strike by Shaun Attard but Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri turned to a corner with some difficulty.
40’ Zebbug were again dangerous through a good effort by Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia but Victoria’s goalie Richard Sammut denied the striker from scoring with a decisive intervention.
HT (3-0)
Second Half
The Hotspurs practically took full command of play during the second period and Zebbug only managed to threaten Victoria’s rearguard with sporadic breaks.
11’ Victoria’s Wellington Valentim De Sousa entered Zebbug’s area with a personal action but his final shot was well saved by goalie Leonard Camilleri.
12’ The same goalkeeper was again at the right place and saved a corner header by Wellington Valentim De Sousa following a cross by Joseph George Vella. From the same corner action, the ball arrived to Joseph George Vella who saw his shot on the run ending just over the crossbar.
17’ (4-0) Victoria added another goal when Wellington Valentim De Sousa entered Zebbug’s area and from his low inviting pass Lorenzo Atzori netted with a tap-in.
19’ (4-1) Zebbug managed to score a consolation goal when Miguel Angel Moreno Ampudia arrived on the ball before goalie Richard Sammut followed a free kick from long distance and the Colombian striker concluded into an open goal.
21’ The Rovers were again dangerous through a shot by Paul Spiteri that was saved with some difficulty by goalie Richard Sammut.
24’ (crossbar) Victoria replied with another initiative by Wellington Valentim De Sousa, who entered Zebbug’s area and from his pass Lorenzo Atzori saw his attempt that was stopped by the crossbar and the goalkeeper recovered in time to avoid further danger from the rebound.
25’ (5-1) The Hotspurs however scored another goal that arrived through a low shot from an angled position by Wellington Valentim De Sousa following a personal action.
28’ (goal disallowed) Victoria’s Lorenzo Atzori netted from close distance following a fine move by Joseph George Vella but the goal was disallowed as the ball had already crossed the goal line before Vella passed the ball towards the striker.
36’ (post) Victoria’s Lorenzo Atzori was once again very unlucky when his strike from outside the area hit the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
43’ (6-1) The Hotspurs made it a half dozen with another goal scored by Wellington Valentim De Sousa who concluded in goal as he arrived face to face with Zebbug’s goalie.
FT (VH 6 – ZR 1)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Jules Ngangue
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