7 January 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 10) Gozo Stadium
Oratory Youths FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC: 4
26’ (0-1) Owen Peter Bugeja
51’ (0-2) Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos
58’ (0-3) Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira
74’ (penalty missed – saved) Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira (KA)
74’ (0-4) Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, A. Sultana (K. Saliba 63), P. Rapa (R. Saliba 63), L.B. Coca (O. Grech 76), O. Curmi, A. Azzopardi, N. Said, H. Muscat, L.G. Santos Silva, R. Almeida Lopes, G. Rocha Mendes Da Silva.
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar (J. Tabone 78), E. Caetano Pena, O.G. Fernandes, K.L. Nunes Santos, P. Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira, A. Mizzi (C. Briffa 88), O.P. Bugeja (K. Sciberras 84), C. Attard, G. Cardona (K. Attard 88), S. Azzopardi.
In the first match from Match-Day 10 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, Kercem Ajax extended their good moment of form, since the beginning of the second round, and obtained three points from a convincing 4-0 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths. This was also the third consecutive positive result for Kercem in the championship so they are now in a better position to be challenged for a better placing on the table.
This match was considered a direct clash from the relegation zone since Kercem had just one point more than their opponents before this match. Thus, Oratory was aiming to obtain a win to move away from the last place on the table, while Kercem needed the three points to extend their lead over the bottom place. With this win, Kercem took revenge for the defeat conceded in the match against the same Oratory of the first round.
The match turned out to be quite interesting during the first half but after the break, Kercem took command of play and made sure of the win at an early stage. In this match, Kercem’s defence was well organised and kept Oratory’s strikers under control throughout the ninety minutes. The Ajax also prevailed over their opponents in the midfield and this allowed them to be much more offensive and dangerous in their play. Kercem’s win was therefore well deserved as they seemed relieved from the pressure which characterised their performances in most matches during the first round. On the other hand, in this encounter, Oratory compromised the positive patch of results obtained in five consecutive matches during the first round and remained in serious relegation trouble although they still have two teams above them who are within reasonable reach.
Timeline:
Play throughout the first half was quite balanced as the two sides tried to produce offensive play. Kercem had a better start but Oratory recovered well and as time passed by they came out of their defence and created chances where they could have scored at least one goal. Kercem took the lead before halftime and gained confidence so that they administered their lead until the break.
1’ (crossbar) Kercem could have scored an early goal but a strike by Christian Attard was stopped by the crossbar.
3’ The Ajax were again dangerous through a low shot by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes but the ball ended wide.
13’ Oratory replied with an effort by Hayden Muscat following a corner action but Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was well placed and blocked the danger so that the defence cleared the danger from their area.
16’ The Youths missed a good scoring opportunity when Rian Almeida Lopes unmarked Gregory Rocha Mendes Da Silva but the latter incredibly hit badly from an ideal position and the ball ended away from goal.
20’ Kercem’s Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes had an attempt directly from a free kick but the ball ended over the crossbar.
22’ Oratory’s striker Gregory Rocha Mendes Da Silva once again failed to capitalise from an ideal situation as his shot from close distance ended wide.
26’ (0-1) Kercem took the lead when Oratory’s defence cleared badly a cross from the left flank by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira and the ball arrived to Owen Peter Bugeja who netted with a first timer from the edge of the area.
28’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli was well placed and saved in two attempts a good shot by Kiao Lucas Nunes Santos.
42’ Kercem were again dangerous through an effort by Owen Peter Bugeja but the ball ended wide.
45’ Oratory went very close to level the score when Neil Said entered Kercem’s territory from the right flank and his inviting cross Gregory Rocha Mendes Da Silva saw his close-ranged attempt that was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Daniel Spiteri.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Oratory’s reaction after the break was sterile while Kercem seemed in a better shape and became much more dangerous with their counter breaks so they put their minds at rest from the three points by scoring two more goals before the hour mark.
6’ (0-2) Kercem doubled their lead when Owen Peter Bugeja released Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira on the left flank, the latter entered the area and from his low cross, Kaio Lucas Nunes Santos placed easily in goal with a tap-in.
9’ Oratory replied with a good shot by Gregory Rocha Mendes Da Silva but Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri saved in two attempts.
10’ The same goalkeeper was called to make another intervention to neutralise an attempt directly from a free kick by Oratory’s Andre Azzopardi.
13’ (0-3) The Ajax increased their lead when Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira received from Gabriel Cardona within Oratory’s territory and the Brazilian striker surprised the goalkeeper with a strike from long distance
28’ (0-4) penalty Kercem were awarded a penalty for a foul by Hyden Muscat on Owen Peter Bugeja. Kercem’s Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira had his shot from the penalty spot that was partially saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli but the same striker took the ball from the rebound and placed easily in goal.
41’ Oratory could have scored a consolation goal but an attempt by Neil Said from an angled position was well saved by goalie Daniel Spiteri.
FT (OY 0 – KA 4)
Referee: Emanuel Grech
Asst. Referees: Reuben Spiteri Delicata, Keiran Mallia
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