Munxar back in the reckoning

27 January 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 8) Kercem Stadium

Munxar Falcons FC : 3

Zebbug Rovers FC : 1

5’ (1-0) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza

14’ (2-0) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza

36’ (3-0) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza

88’ (3-1) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu

Munxar F:

J. Micallef, K. Borg, P. Parnis, K. Farrugia, I. Belhadj (M. Camilleri Psaila 89), N. Mifsud (S. Spiteri 89), L. Meilak (K. Mizzi 89), S. Muscat, V.G. Soarez Souza, E. Galea (D. Bajada 45+4), O. Spiteri (M. Zammit 70).

Zebbug R:

L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri, O. Saliba (S. Farrugia 76), G. Grech, H. Paulin,  P.P. Camilleri, N.J. Cini (J. Magro 90+9), E.R. Okpokwu, Ju. Attard, L. Portelli (O. Mercieca 90+9), J. Azzopardi (K. Mifsud 46).

Munxar Falcons recovered from two disappointing results in their previous two matches and obtained three points from a 3-1 win over  Zebbug Rovers in the first match from Match-Day 8 of the second division campaign.

Munxar’s win was deserved as they were the better side for most of the encounter and made sure of the win by scoring three goals during the first half.  The protagonist of the match was Munxar’s striker Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza who scored three goals for his side.  Zebbug, who is currently without a coach, once again found it very difficult to be competitive.  The Rovers suffered Munxar’s offensive play throughout the first half and only managed to create some danger to their opponents during the second period when the result was already compromised.

Timeline:

Munxar came out determined to take command of play and managed to take the driving seat through an early goal so that they gained confidence and continued to dominate over their opponents until the end of the first half.

5’ (1-0) Munxar opened the score through Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza who passed through Zebbug’s defence with a personal action and concluded in goal from a good position.

14’ (2-0) Munxar kept insisting and doubled their lead through a close-ranged shot by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza following a cross by Neil Mifsud.

36’ (3-0) Zebbug continued to suffer Munxar’s play and Brazilian striker Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza registered his hat-trick 

45+6’ Munxa’s Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza could have added another goal but his header from a good position ended wide.

HT (3-0)

Second Half

Munxar continued to control play from the beginning of the second period but as time passed by Zebbug came out of their defence and tried to produce a reaction to re-open the issue.

7’ Munxar’s Owen Spiteri had a good shot from outside the area that ended wide.

9’ Munxar’s Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza went again close to score a fourth goal but his effort was blocked with some difficulty by Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri.

10’ The same goalkeeper was once again called to make a difficult save following an attempt by Ishmael Belhadj.

31’ (crossbar) Zebbug went very close to score but a header by Harry Paulin following a cross by Paul Spiteri was stopped by the crossbar.

33’ Munxar went close to add another goal but Neil Mifsud’s shot following a personal action was neutralised by Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri.

43’ (3-1) Zebbug scored their consolation goal through Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who entered Munxar’s area with a personal action and netted with a low drive.

45+3’ Munxar’s Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza missed another opportunity to score another goal when he entered the area with a personal action but his shot from an angled position ended on the side of the net.

FT (MF 3 – ZR 1)

Referee: Danilo Francalanza

Assistant Referees: Derome Agius, Rapjan Xhyra