Oratory re-open the tussle against relegation

8 March 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 16) Gozo Stadium

Oratory Youths FC : 3

Xaghra United FC: 1

4’ (1-0) Rafael Conrado Prudente

27’ (1-1) Chris Camilleri

34’ (2-1) Ryan Saliba

48’ (3-1) Rafael Conrado Prudente

Oratory Y:

A. Brignoli, A. Sultana, P. Rapa, K. Farrugia, J. Buttigieg, L.B. Coca, A. Azzopardi,  R.C. Prudente (O. Curmi 88), R. Saliba, L.G. Santos Silva, R. Almeida Lopes (N. Said 90+2).

Xaghra U:

L. Xuereb, S. Galea (F.J. Xuereb 58), L. Almeida Da Silva,  S.F. Bajada (L. Sultana 79), M. Bezzina (M. Cordina 70), C. Camilleri, M. Mamo (M.P. Camilleri 70), O. Fenech (D. Azzopardi 58), M.A. Morgon Filho, C.A. Diaz Arias, H. Da Silva Wilker.

Oratory Youths returned to winning ways after a long period of disappointing results with a 3-1 win over Xaghra United and reignited their chances to move away from the bottom place on the table in the remaining matches of the championship.  This match between Oratory and Xaghra was a direct clash from the relegation zone as the two sides occupied the last places on the table.  Before this match, Xaghra had a four-point lead over the same Oratory and could have at least defended their lead with a positive result, while the Youths needed the full points at stake to pull the same Xaghra with them in the fight against the bottom place.

Oratory’s win was deserved as they were more motivated and created more scoring opportunities.  The Youths also managed to produce a positive performance in their defence and neutralised Xaghra’s efforts to remain in contention for the points at stake.  On the other hand, Xaghra was disappointed in this decisive encounter as they failed to, live up to the expectation even though they could have achieved their goal with a draw, and practically threw the towel as soon as they conceded the third goal during the opening minutes of the second period.

In this match, Xaghra’s Chris Camilleri marked his 700th competitive match in Maltese football competitions and remains the player who played the most competitive matches in Malta and Gozo.

Timeline:

Xaghra came out in better shape and during the opening minutes they could have opened the score but Oratory put their heads in front in their first attempt towards Xaghra’s goal and had an immediate reaction as soon as Xaghra levelled the score before the half-hour mark

2’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli made a good intervention to block a close-range attempt by Henrique Da Silva Wilker.

3’ Xaghra’s Da Silva Wiker could have made up for his previous mistake but he failed to capitalise on a good opportunity his attempt from a good position ended wide.

4’ (1-0) Oratory took the lead when Rafael Conrado Prudente produced a personal action, exchanged the ball with Rian Almeida Lopes inside Xaghra’s area and concluded in goal with a fine shot.

14’ Xaghra replied with a shot by Marco Antonio Morgon Filho but the ball ended over the crossbar.

19’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb denied Oratory from adding another goal when he blocked a shot by Joshua Buttigieg from a good position.

25’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra protested for a penalty when Owen Fenech ended on the floor inside Oratory’s area as he tried to pass by defender Anthony Sultana.

26’ In an immediate reply by Oratory, a low shot by Joshua Buttigieg, aimed towards the far post, ended wide.

27’ (1-1) Xaghra levelled the score when Owen Fenech passed to Chris Camilleri inside Oratory’s area and the latter concluded in goal with a low shot.

30’ Oratory was dangerous through an initiative by Joshua Buttigieg who entered Xaghra’s area but his attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper.

34’ (2-1) The Youths regained the lead with a shot from outside the area by Ryan Saliba that surprised Xaghra’s goalie.

40’ Xaghra went close to recover the deficit but a shot by Morgon Filho was saved to a corner by Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli.

45’ Oratory’s defence failed to clear the ball from a corner action but Michael Bezzina’s attempt from a good position ended over the crossbar.

HT (2-1)

Second Half

Oratory surprised Xaghra during the opening minutes of play of the second period and scored their third goal so that Xaghra were demoralised and during the last part of the encounter, the Youths dominated and could have obtained the win with a larger margin.

3’ (3-1) Oratory increased their lead when Xaghra’s defence cleared badly in an attempt to deny Rian Almeida Lopes from a break and Rafael Conrado Prudente took the opportunity and fired in goal from an ideal position.

19’ Xaghra could have produced more danger but a shot by Chris Camilleri ended wide.

23’ The same veteran striker Chris Camilleri had another attempt that was well saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli.

25’ Oratory’s Joshua Buttigieg had an effort from a good position following a counter break but the ball ended away from goal.

27’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb denied Oratory from scoring another goal when he turned to a corner a shot by Rian Almeida Lopes following a personal action.

29’ Oratory went again close to score another goal but a low shot aimed to the far post by Joshua Buttigieg ended wide.

33’ Oratory’s Rian Almeida Lopes had another good chance to increase the lead for his side but his first shot was blocked by the defence and his second attempt ended wide.

FT (OY 3 – XU 1)

Referee: Andrea Sciriha

Assistant Referees: Patrick Falzon, Anthony Paul Vella