Zebbug return to winning ways

16 March 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 12) Kercem Stadium

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0

Zebbug Rovers FC: 2

45’ (0-1) Pierre Paul Camilleri

70’ (penalty missed – saved) Ayesller Carvalho (MF)

73’ (0-2) Nathan John Cini

St. Lawrence S:

J. Xiberras, N. Haber, G. Portelli, M. Terribile (J.K. Farrugia 84), J.M. Portelli, A. Carvalho, S. Farrugia, C. Azzopardi, D. Micallef, M. Dingli, J. Saliba.

Zebbug R:

G. Saliba, P. Spiteri (B. Camilleri 90+2), O. Saliba (N.J. Cini 46), M. Formosa, H. Paulin, R.E. Okpokwu (J. Magro 90+2),  P.P. Camilleri, C. Gafa, L. Portelli, Ju. Attard, J. Azzopardi.

Zebbug Rovers recovered from a long difficult period where they dropped down to the bottom of the table and obtained three points from a 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs so that they reached the team above them on the table.

The match was well contested where Zebbug clinched the win by scoring a goal in each half.  The Spurs could have registered a positive result but they missed an opportunity to level the score with a penalty so they threw the towel as soon as they conceded Zebbug’s second goal.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

Zebbug came out in a better shape and produced the best scoring opportunity of the first half so they took the break with a deserved one-goal lead.

3’ St Lawrence’s goalie Joel Xiberras was called to make a good save to block an effort by Ebube Ralph Okpowku.

28’ The same goalkeeper recovered his position in time and made to clear a dangerous cross-shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu.

30’ Zebbug could have capitalised better but a shot by Luke Portelli from a corner action ended wide.

45’ (0-1) The Rovers took the lead through a shot from long distance by Perre Paul Camilleri that surprised St Lawrence’s goalie.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

St Lawrence produced a good reaction after the break and created more than one occasion where they could have levelled the score but their striker were erratic and failed to convert their chances into goals, so they ended up being punished by Zebbug who made sure of their win by scoring the second goal.

10’ St Lawrence’s Ayesller Carvalho had a good shot from a good position but the ball ended wide.

18’ Zebbug’s goalie Gabriel Saliba was called to make a good save to block an effort by Mark Dingli.

22’ (crossbar) St Lawrence went very close to level the score but an attempt from a free kick by Ayesller Carvalho was stopped by the crossbar.

24’ (penalty missed – saved) penalty The Spurs were awarded a penalty for handling by Nathan John  Cini but the shot from the penalty spot by Ayesller Carvalho was saved by goalie Gabriel Saliba.

28’ (0-2) Zebbug practically sealed the win with the second goal that arrived through an initiative by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who passed through St Lawrence’s defence and released Nathan John  Cini who fired in goal from the edge of the area.

37’Zebbug could have added another goal but a header by Harry Paulin following a cross by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu ended wide.

44’ The Spurs had their last opportunity to reduce the score through a free kick by Ayesller Carvalho but the ball ended wide.

FT (SLS 0 – ZR 2)

Referee: Patrick Falzon

Assistant Referees: Paula Buttigieg, Jules Ngangue

Photo: Anthony Cassar