Munxar obtain a close win to consolidate the third spot

9 March 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 11) Kercem Stadium

Gharb Rangers FC : 0

Munxar Falcons FC: 1

40’ (0-1) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza

62’ (penalty missed – saved) Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza (MF)

Gharb R:

E. Bajada, C. Cutajar, T. Axiak, O. Atzori, D. Vella (R. Portelli 82), S. Azzopardi (G. Sillato 60), M. Tabone (L. Cini 77), D. Depasquale (F. Xuereb 60), D. Galea, M. Grech, J.V. Candido.

Munxar F:

J. Micallef, K. Borg, P. Parnis, E. Bugeja, K. Farrugia, I. Belhadj (S. Muscat 81), N. Mifsud (S. Spiteri 89), N. Mercieca, M. Zammit (D. Bajada 61), V.G. Soarez Souza, E. Galea.

Munxar Falcons recovered from the disappointing match against the leaders in the last match of the second round and earned three points from a close win over Gharb Rangers so that Munxar re-opened their chances to challenge for the runners-up position in the remaining matches of the campaign.  On the other hand, Gharb missed an opportunity to improve its current position on the table and therefore it remains at risk to return to the bottom place on the table.

The match was quite balanced and with very few scoring opportunities, particularly during the first period, as the defensive departments most of the time neutralised the respective strikers.  The match was decided with a goal scored a few minutes away from the break and during the second half Gharb missed their few chances to recover the deficit, while Munxar failed to capitalise on some chances to put their minds at rest with a second goal.

Timeline:

The two sides came out for this match with the intention of taking command of play but the strikers were well controlled and the two goalkeepers were not called to make any difficult interventions.  However, Munxar managed to take the break in the lead with a goal that arrived in the final stages of the first half.

40’ (0-1) Munxar took the lead when Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza entered Gharb’s area from the right flank and netted with a low shot with the ball hitting the post before entering the net.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

Munxar seemed more confident from the first minutes of the second period while Gharb struggled to produce danger within Munxar’s territory so that the Falcons managed to administer their lead until the final whistle.

5’ Gharb’s Damian Depasquale had a good shot that was well saved by Munxar’s goalie Joel Micallef.

7’ Munxar were dangerous through an effort by Matthew Zammit but Gharb’s goalie Etienne Bajada was well placed and neutralised the danger.

17’ (penalty missed – saved) Munxar had a golden opportunity to double their lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by substitute Gabriel Sillato on Tristen Axiak but the shot from the penalty spot by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza was saved by goalie Etienne Bajada.

24’ Gharb could have capitalised better when Munxar’s defence found it very difficult to clear the ball from the danger area but at the end, the attempt by Carlos Cutajar from close distance was blocked by the defence.

30’ Munxar went close to making sure of the win by scoring a second goal but an attempt from a free kick by Nathaniel Mercieca ended wide.

FT (GR 0 – MF 1)

Referee: Raymond Tabone

Assistant Referees: Kankaras Igor, Mark Azzopardi