24 February 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 10) Kercem Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC: 1
St Lawrence Spurs FC: 2
17’ (0-1) penalty Ayesller Carvalho
48’ (1-1) Justin Xerri
81’ (1-2) Ayesller Carvalho
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, C. Cutajar, T. Axiak, A. Ofulue Chukwuwinke, F. Xuereb (M. Tabone 57), J. Xerri (D. Depasquale 86), S. Sillato, D. Galea, M. Grech, O. Atzori, S. Gauci.
St. Lawrence S:
J. Xiberras, N. Haber, G. Portelli, M. Terribile (J.K. Farrugia 66), J.M. Portelli (C. Azzopardi 73), A. Carvalho, V.J. Saliba, S. Farrugia, D. Micallef, M. Dingli, J. Saliba.
St Lawrence Spurs confirmed a good moment of form and obtained their third win in the campaign by defeating neighbours Gharb Rangers with the odd goal from three. This was a direct clash between two sides who needed a win to take fourth place on the table at the end of the second round. Both Gharb and St Lawrence have improved their performances and results during the matches of the second round and managed to move away from the bottom place on the table, so both teams came out for this match so that they could win the full points at stake.
In the match, each team enjoyed territorial supremacy for a half each but the two sides both found it difficult to convert their play into good scoring opportunities. Moreover, the strikers failed to capitalise on some open scoring opportunities so the win could have gone either way. St Lawrence’s win matured with a goal scored a few minutes away from the end of the encounter when there was not much time left for Gharb to save the result.
Timeline:
St Lawrence came out in a better shape and for most of the time during the first period they held territorial supremacy and produced some good scoring opportunities. The Spurs managed to take the break with a one-goal lead as Gharb found it extremely difficult to create dangerous play towards St Lawrence’s goal.
15’ (0-1) penalty St Lawrence was awarded a penalty for a foul by Matthew Grech on Ayesller Carvalho and when the same Brazilian striker recovered from the tough challenge, he converted the shot from the penalty spot to put his side in the lead.
24’ St Lawrence could have doubled the score but a header by Victor John Saliba following a free kick by Jurgen Mario Portelli ended wide.
27’ The same Jurgen Portelli produced a good move inside Gharb’s area but from his low inviting cross, Mark Dingli hit badly and the ball ended wide.
36’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a free kick by Ayesller Carvalho.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Gharb came out determined to produce a reaction and as soon as they scored the equaliser the match became much more contested as the two sides tried to win the full points at stake. The match ended up being decided with a late goal scored by St Lawrence when there was not enough time for Gharb to recover.
3’ (1-1) Gharb recovered the deficit in their first serious attempt towards St Lawrence’s goal as the defence failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a corner kick by Orlando Atzori and Carlos Cutajar crossed towards the centre so that Justin Xerri took the ball and fired in goal from close distance.
8’ Gharb could have turned the result in their favour when Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwinke came face to face with St Lawrence’s goalie but the latter had good timing and blocked the danger to deny the striker from placing the ball into an open goal.
13’ St Lawrence replied with a shot from an angled position by Ayesller Carvalho but the ball ended high.
23’ Gharb were again dangerous through a low shot by Carlos Cutajar following a persona; action but the ball ended wide.
27’ The Rangers could have turned the result in their favour when Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwinke defended the ball at the edge of the area but his shot was well saved by goalie Joel Xiberras
36’ (1-2) Gharb were punished for the missed chances and conceded St Lawrence’s decisive goal when Mark Dingli unmarked Victor John Saliba at the edge of Gharb’s area. The latter had his strike that was partially saved by goalie Andre Micallef and from the rebound, Ayesller Carvalho placed easily into an open goal.
43’ St Lawrence was again dangerous through a shot by Victor John Saliba but goalie Andre Micallef was well placed and neutralised the danger.
FT (GR 1 – SLS 2)
Referee: Rapjan Xhyra
Assistant Referees: Raymond Tabone, Paul Apap
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