24 February 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 10) Kercem Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC: 1
Sannat Lions FC: 2
16’ (0-1) Gabriel Debrincat
87’ (1-1) penalty Harry Paulin
90+2’ (1-2) Tristen Agius
Zebbug R:
L. Camilleri, P. Spiteri, O. Saliba (G. Grech 72), M. Formosa, H. Paulin, P.P. Camilleri (S. Farrugia 72), C. Gafa, L. Portelli (N.J. Cini 72), E.R. Okpokwu, Ju. Attard, J. Azzopardi.
Sannat L:
K. Attard, K. Xuereb, G. Debrincat, E. Gauci, N. Grima, P. Said (T. Agius 63), D. Borg, M. Mifsud (C. Gauci 42), L. Silva Gomes, A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg (J.W. Meilak 80).
Sannat Lions recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match of the campaign, which was a direct clash for the top position, and retained tier status as challengers for promotion with the points obtained from a 2-1 win over bottom-placed Zebbug Rovers.
This match turned out to be one of the most exciting of the league matches played so far this season as the two sides tried hard to obtain a win. The match was well contested where Sannat scored a goal at an early stage but did not manage to impose their superiority as Zebbug came out of their defence and held territorial supremacy for most of the time. However, Zebbug found it extremely difficult to produce serious attempts towards Sannat’s goal so the latter managed to defend their one-goal lead with authority until the final stages of the match.
The turning point of the match arrived during the dying moments when Zebbug managed to score the equaliser and for the remaining minutes, the two sides had the opportunity to obtain the win. Sannat managed to capitalise on their last chance of the match to take the three precious points to remain in the top positions on the table. On the other hand, Zebbug were punished Zebbug for their mistakes and left the field of play empty-handed and also at the last place on the table at the end of the second round of the campaign.
Timeline:
The two sides came out for this match motivated to obtain a win and during the opening stages, the two sides had opportunities to open the score. However, Sannat managed to put their heads in front and neutralised Zebbug’s reaction so that the former took the break with a one-goal lead.
8’ Zebbug could have capitalised better when Harry Paulin won the ball from Sannat’s defence but his shot from a good position missed the target.
10’ Sannat replied with a good strike by Paul Said following a corner action that was saved with some difficulty by Zebbug’s goalie Leonard Camilleri.
16’ (0-1) Sannat opened the score when Cyriel Buttigieg released Gabriel Debrincat with a through ball and the latter entered the area and netted with a low drive as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.
40’ (crossbar) Zebbug had their best opportunity to level the score when a strike from outside the area by Joston Azzopardi was stopped by the crossbar.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Zebbug tried to keep their momentum after the resumption but they continued to find it very difficult to conclude towards Sannat’s goal, while Sannat tried to increase their lead through sporadic counter breaks. As time passed by the match became much more exciting and it was finally decided with a goal scored by each side during the dying moments of the encounter.
8’ Zebbug were dangerous through a free kick from a long distance by Joston Azzopardi ended just high.
29’ Sannat had their best opportunity to double their lead through a low shot by Lucas Silva Gomes that was blocked by Zebbug’s defence.
37’ Sannat went again close to score but an attempt from a free kick by Aaron Azzopardi missed the target.
40’ Zebbug threatened Sannat’s defence with a fine header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a corner kick by Joston Azzopardi but the ball ended just wide.
42’ (1-1) penalty Zebbug clinched the equaliser when they were awarded a penalty for handling by Daniel Borg following a shot by Paul Spiteri and Harry Paulin netted with his shot from the penalty spot.
44’ Zebbug were again dangerous through a low shot from outside the area by Ebube Ralph Okpokwo that was saved with some difficulty by Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard.
45+1’ Sannat replied with an attempt from a free kick by Aaron Azzopardi but the ball ended just over the crossbar.
45+2’ (1-2) Sannat scored the goal that decided the issue when Lucas Silva Gomes released substitute Tristen Agius who placed in goal with a low drive as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger. During the celebrations, Sannat’s Christian Dingli was sent off from the substitute’s bench for dissent.
FT (ZR 1 – SL 2)
Referee: Raymond Tabone
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Rapjan Xhyra
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