10 April 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
Munxar Falcons FC : 3
St Lawrence Spurs FC: 1
37’ (1-0) Nathaniel Mercieca
64’ (1-1) Jurgen Mario Portelli
70’ (2-1) Nathaniel Mercieca
79‘ (3-1) Nathaniel Mercieca
Munxar F:
D. Spiteri, K. Borg, D. Bajada, K. Farrugia (E. Galea 86), I. Belhadj, N. Mifsud (L. Meilak 60), S. Spiteri, N. Mercieca, M. Zammit (E. Bugeja 62), G. Cauchi, V.G. Soarez Souza.
St Lawrence S:
J. Xiberras, J.K. Farrugia, N. Haber, G. Portelli, J.M. Portelli, A. Carvalho, V.J. Saliba, J. Grech (S. Muscat 86), C. Azzopardi, D. Micallef, M. Dingli.
Munxar Falcons obtained three important points from a 3-1 win over bottom-placed St Lawrence Spurs and they are now occupying the runners-up position and therefore in a position to challenge for the Play-Off against the teams who end up at the second [lace from the bottom on the final standings of the first division.
This was another contested match where the two sides needed the win for different reasons as the Falcons are aiming to end the campaign in second place while the Spurs need to make up for a disappointing season by avoiding the bottom place on the table. The Spurs shared play with their more quoted opponents for long stretches but failed to capitalise on their scoring opportunities. Munxar made good use of their experience as they punished their opponents and ended up making sure of the win before the final moments of the encounter. Munxar’s Nathaniel Mercieca was the main protagonist of the match as he scored the three goals for his side which made all the difference between the two sides.
Timeline:
For more of the time during the first period, play took place in the midfield but St Lawrence was more dangerous in their break and created some good ring opportunities. However, Munxar capitalised from their best opportunity arrived near the end of the first half and took the break with a one-goal lead.
15’ St Lawrence created the first serious scoring opportunity but a low shot by Victor John Saliba aimed towards the far post ended just wide.
32’ (post) St Lawrence went very close to opening the score when Jurgen Mario Portelli entered Munxar’s area and had his close ranged attempt that was partially saved by goalie Damien Spiteri, the same striker took the rebound but his low drive aimed towards an open goal hit the post and the defence cleared the ball from the danger area.
35’ Munxar’s goalie Damian Spiteri was well placed and saved in two attempts a shot from long distance by St Lawrence’s Ayesller Carvalho.
37’ (1-0) Munxar punished their opponents for the missed chances and opened the score with a low shot from an unmarked position by Nathaniel Mercieca that ended out of the reach of St Lawrence’s goalie.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
St Lawrence came out for the second period to recover the deficit and achieved their objective just after the hour mark. Munxar had a good reaction and scored two goals without any reply from the opponents so that they made sure of the win.
10’ St Lawrence went very close to level the score but a low shot by Joey Grech ended wide.
13’ The Spurs were again dangerous through a shot from outside the area by Jurgen Mario Portelli that ended away from goal.
19’ (1-1) St Lawrence were rewarded for their efforts as they levelled the score through a shot from long distance by Jurgen Mario Portelli that surprised Munxar’s goalkeeper.
24’ St Lawrence’s Ayesller Carvalho had a shot from outside the area that ended wide.
25’ (2-1) Munxar regained the lead when a strike by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza hit the crossbar and from the rebound, Nathaniel Mercieca took the possession and his shot ended in the net despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to block the danger.
34’ (3-1) The Falcons increased their lead through a shot by Nathaniel Mercieca that got a deflection by the defence and the ball ended away from the reach of St Lawrence’s keeper.
FT (MF 3 – SLS 1)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Jules Ngangue
0 Comments