7 October 2024
BOV GFA Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium
Munxar Falcons FC : 3
Gharb Rangers FC: 1
23’ (1-0) Samwel Muscat
33’ (1-1) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
36’ (2-1) penalty Joseph George Vella
62’ (3-1) Samwel Muscat
Munxar F:
J. Micallef, K. Borg, D. Azzopardi, P. Parnis (D. Bajada 82), N. Mercieca, M. Zammit, G. Attard (K. Vella 85), D. Mesa Pineros, S. Muscat, J.G. Vella, O. Curmi.
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, A. Sultana, D. Galea, T. Axiak, B.O. Igbinobaro, J.P. Portelli, M. Tabone (K. Theuma 61), F. Xuereb (C. Zammit 61), E. Vella (J. Camilleri 69), J. Xerri (P.S. Cardona 69), N.J. Camilleri.
Munxar Falcons recovered from the defeat conceded in the final of the 2nd Division Challenge Cup and had a positive start in the campaign as they earned the full points at stake from a 3-1 win over Gharb Rangers.
The match was quite contested during the opening half-hour of play as Gharb seemed determined to earn a positive result from the first Match-Day of the League. However, as time passed by Munxar imposed their superiority and in the end, they could have registered the win with a larger margin.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
For most of the first period, Munxar saw more of the ball but the match turned out to be well contested and with the outcome uncertain.
23’ (1-0) Munxar opened the score when Samwel Muscat passed through Gharb’s defence and netted with a fine shot.
33’ (1-1) Gharb had a good reaction and their efforts were rewarded when they scored the equaliser with a good shot by Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro that ended out of the reach of Munxar’s goalie.
36’ (2-1) penalty Munxar were awarded a penalty when Nathaniel Mercieca was floored inside Gharb’s area and Joseph George Vella converted his shot from the penalty spot.
HT (2-1)
Second Half
Gharb came out for the second period more motivated and tried to increase their efforts in an attempt to level the score but Munxar expressed their superiority as time passed. The Falcons increased their lead just after the hour mark and went very close to score more goals in the remaining minutes of play.
9’ Gharb went very close to score the second equaliser but a good effort by Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro was saved with difficulty by Munxar’s goalie Joel Micallef.
14’ (crossbar) Munxar could have added another goal but a crossshot by George Attard was stopped by the crossbar.
17’ (3-1) Munxar managed to increase their lead with another goal scored by Samwel Muscat who concluded in goal following a personal action.
27’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef was well placed and denied Munxar from scoring another goal when he turned to a corner an initiative by Nathaniel Mercieca.
31’ The same Mercieca was again close to score the fourth goal but once again his effort was well blocked by Gharb’s goalkeeper.
34’ Munxar’s Joseph George Vella had a good cross shot that surprised Gharb’s defence but the ball ended on the roof of the net.
38’ Gharb’s goalie was again called to make an important intervention to turn with difficulty to a corner a strike by Joseph George Vella.
42’ (post) Munxar’s last opportunity to seal the win by scoring a fourth goal arrived through an initiative by Daniel Mesa Pineross, who took the ball from Gharb’s defence but his low shot was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
FT (MF 3 – GR 1)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Anthony Paul Vella
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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