Xewkija Tigers start the campaign with a fine win

7 September 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium

Xewkija Tigers FC : 5
Oratory Youths FC : 0

9’ (1-0) Claudio Daniel Frances
11’ (2-0) Rodney Buttigieg
28’ (3-0) Gennaro Hili
32’ (4-0) Stefan Cassar
83’ (5-0) Brian Alejandro Parada

Xewkija T:
N. Kosanin, Josh. Buttigieg (J. Farrugia 81), R. Buttigieg (Josi. Buttigieg 74), G. Hili, S.
Cassar (M. Bonnici 74), C.D. Frances, D. Bugeja, K. Mercieca (M. Mercieca 66), B.A.
Parada, C. Abela (Jos. Vella 66), E. De Sousa Santos..

Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, C. Cardona (R. Portelli 46), I. Zarb, K. Saliba, G. Ellis (D. Saliba 30), J. Xerri, C.
Caruana (S. Attard 67), A. Refalo (C. Vella 74), V.G. Soarez Souza (A. Zammit 74), L.G.
Santos Silva, R. Almeida Lopes.

Xewkija Tigers, who are aiming to return as main protagonists in Gozitan football after
some disappointing season had an encouraging start on Match Day 1 of the championship
as they obtained a 5-0 win over Oratory Youths.

Xewkija Tigers, who had Jesmond Zammit back on the bench as a coach after some years,
showed that they prepared a competitive side which is strong in all departments and where
their new signings contributed to improving the level of play. On the other hand, Oratory found
it difficult to be challenged for a positive result and practically compromised the possibility to
earn at least a point during the first half where they conceded four goals. Xewkija took their
foot off the pedal after the break so that Oratory came out of their defence the Tigers had
good control of their territory and denied their opponents from creating serious danger.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:
Xewkija took command of play from the first minutes and paved the way to the win by
scoring an early goal. Oratory was demoralised and conceded two more goals before the end
of the first half.
9’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the score through a shot directly from a free kick by Claudio
Daniel Frances ended out of the reach of Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli.
11’ (2-0) The Tigers kept insisting and doubled their lead when Oratory’s defence failed to
clear a cross by Denzil Bugeja following a short corner action and Rodney Buttigieg took
full advantage and deposited the ball into the goal from a close distance.
19’ Xewkija’s Rodney Buttigieg could have added another goal but his header from a good
position ended wide.
28’ (3-0) Oratory continued to suffer Xewkija’s pressure and conceded the third goal that
arrived through a tap-in by Gennaro Hili, who was marking his return to Xewkija after a
spell of some years with Nadur Youngsters, following a low cross from the right flank by
Brian Alejandro Parada.
32’ (4-0) Xewkija practically put the score beyond the reach of their opponents when
Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli partially saved a low strike by Brian Alejandro Parada with
the aid of the post and from the rebound debutant Stefan Cassar (ex-Nadur Youngsters)
placed easily into an open goal.
37’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a header by Brian Alejandro Parada following a
corner action, but the ball ended wide.

HT (4-0)

Second Half
The match lost much f interest after the break as Xewkija maintained their supremacy
although they reduced their pressure on Oratory’s defence. On the other hand, Oratory’s
reaction was sterile and only managed to conclude towards Xewkija’s goal on sporadic
occasions. Xewkija sealed the win with a fifth goal scored near the end of the encounter
3’ Oratory created their first serious scoring opportunity of the encounter through a shot from
a free kick by Luis Gabriel Santos Silva that was well saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.
38’ (5-0) Xewkija’s fifth goal arrived through a fine move within Oratory’s territory where
Brian Alejandro Parada came face to face with Oratory’s goalie and the Argentinian striker
netted with a low drive.
43’ Oratory’s last opportunity to score a consolation goal arrived through a shot by Rian
Almerida Lopes following a personal action that was well saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

FT (XT 5 – OY 0)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Asst. Referees: Mark Ciantar, Patrick Falzon

Photo: Anthony Cassar