Xaghra, Xewkija share the spoils

27 February 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium

Xaghra United FC : 1

Xewkija Tigers FC : 1

49’ (1-0) Chris Camilleri

57’ (1-1) Claudio Daniel Frances

Xaghra U:

L. Xuereb, S. Galea, L. Almeida Da Silva, M. Bezzina (L. Sultana 84), C. Camilleri, D. Azzopardi (O. Fenech 46), M. Mamo, M. Cordina (M.P. Camilleri 70), F.J. Xuereb, C.A. Diaz Arias, H. Da Silva Wilker.

Xewkija T:

N. Kosanin, Js. Vella, D. Bogdanovic, M. Mercieca (J. Axiak 65),  A. Debrincat (D. Bugeja 55), R. Buttigieg (H. Bonnici 84), A. Bozovic, C.D. Frances, M. Bonnici, B.A. Parada, C. Abela.

In the last match from the last Match-Day of the second round Xaghra United and Xewkija Tigers earned a point each from a draw of two goals so that the two sides improved their position on the table.  With this result Xewkija are now sharing the third spot on the table with SK Victoria Wanderers, while Xaghra increased their gap from the team at the bottom of the table to five points.

The match turned out to be very well contested as both Xaghra and Xewkija tried hard to obtain the win.  Xaghra held territorial supremacy during the first half but after the break the match became much more exciting as the two sides produced offensive play.  At the end the final score was a just result which rewards the two sets of players for their efforts.

Timeline:

Xaghra saw more of the ball for most of the time during the first half but Xewkija had good protection of their territory and very often they threatened Xaghra’s defence with direct offensive action.

8’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Rodney Buttigieg delivered a cross inside Xaghra’s area from the right flank but the header by Brian Alejandro Almeida missed the target.

12’ Xaghra replied with a fine shot by Matthias Cordina but Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin made a good intervention and saved the danger to a corner.

14’ (protests for penalty) Xewkija protested for a penalty when Andrea Debrincat ended on the floor inside Xaghra’s area following a  challenge for the ball with his direct opponent.

24’ Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin left his position in time to clear the ball from the edge of the area before Xaghra’s Henrique Da Silva Wilker could arrive on the ball following a slow back pass by the defence.

32 (goal disallowed) Xaghra almost broke the deadlock when Matthias Cordona delivered the ball towards the goalmouth from a free kick and Leandro Almeida Da Silva arrived on the ball before Xewkija’s goalie and headed in the net but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement by the same player.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

The match continued to be quite interesting after the break as the two sides seemed motivated to obtain the win.  Xaghra and Xewkija scored a goal each during the opening stages of the second period and in the remaining minutes the win could have gone either way.

4’ (1-0) Xaghra took the lead when Henrique Da Silva Wilker delivered a cross inside Xewkija’s area from the right flank and Chris Camilleri surprised Xewkija’s defence to put the ball in the net with a fine header.

12’ (1-1) Xewkija clinched the equaliser with a spectacular shot by Daniel Claudio Frances from outside the area that did not give any opportunity to the goalkeeper to clear away from the upper corner of the goalposts.

19’ Xaghra tried to surprised Xewkija’s defence with a shot by Michael Bezzina but goalie Nikola Kosanin was well placed and neutralised the danger.

22’ Xewkija missed a good opportunity to turn the result in their favour when Rodney Buttigieg entered Xaghra’s area but he hit badly from a good position and goalie Lorjean Xuereb saved without difficulty.

41’ Xaghra could have created more danger but a strike from a good position by Chris Camilleri ended high.

FT (XU 1 – XT 1)

Referee: Emanuel Grech

Assistant Referees: Carmel Vassallo, Patrick Falzon