St Lawrence obtain their second consecutive win

12 October 2024

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

Gharb Rangers FC : 0

St Lawrence Spurs FC: 1

43’ (0-1) Jurgen Mario Portelli

Gharb R:

A. Micallef, A. Sultana, D. Galea, N. De Battista (C. Zammit 81), T. Axiak (J. Xerri 58), B.O. Igbinobaro, J.P. Portelli,  M. Tabone, F. Xuereb (N. Grima 66), E. Vella (J. Camilleri 58), N.J. Camilleri (S. Cardona 66).

St Lawrence S:

P. Cremona, N. Haber (D. Micallef 69), E. Bugeja, J.M. Portelli, J. Grima, V.J. Saliba (C. Azzopardi 61), S. Farrugia, C. Farrugia (J. Attard 61), M. Dingli (J. Xuereb 79), E.R. Okpokwu, J. Saliba (O. Grech 69).

In the first match from Match-Day 2 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division St Lawrence Spurs earned three precious points from a close win over neighbours Gharb Rangers.  With this result, the Spurs confirmed their positive start in the league as they registered their second consecutive win and they may look forward with more confidence to be more competitive and above all to achieve their main objective to stay away from the lower places on the standings.

The match between St Lawrence and Gharb for most of the time was balanced but with very few serious scoring opportunities.  Gharb seemed determined to earn their first point of the campaign but they were punished for being erratic in attack and did not manage to avoid the second consecutive defeat. St Lawrence’s hero in this win was striker Jurgen Mario Portelli who scored the goal that decided the issue following a personal initiative that arrived two minutes away from the break.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

Play during the first half turned out to be quite contested in the midfield and both teams had opportunities to take the lead.  However, the Spurs increased their efforts during the dying moments of the first half and took the break with a one-goal lead.

3’ Gharb almost opened the score but a shot from outside the area by David Galea was partially saved by St Lawrence’s goalie Paul Cremona and from the rebound the defence cleared the danger with some difficulty.

11’ The Spurs replied with a header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu from a corner kick by James Grima but the ball ended over the crossbar.

15’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef was well placed and saved without difficulty a good shot from outside the area by Charlon Farrugia.

20’ St Lawrence’s goalie Paul Cremona had good timing as he left his position in time to block an effort by Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro following a personal action.

21’ In an immediate reply by the Spurts a low shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu was neutralised by Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef.

42’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef was called to make a difficult intervention to save a low shot from outside the area by James Grima.

43’ (0-1) St Lawrence managed to open the score when Jurgen Mario Portelli received the ball outside Gharb’s area and fired u fine shot that ended out of the reach of Gharb’s goalkeeper.

45+1’ St Lawrence could have doubled their lead but a close-ranged header by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu from a cross by Eman Bugeja was blocked with difficulty by goalie Andre Micallef.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

St Lawrence tried to maintain the momentum after the break.  The Spurs kept pressure on Gharb’s defence during the opening minutes but they failed to capitalise on their superiority so Gharb came out of a difficult moment and increased their efforts in an attempt to recover the deficit so that the match became much more entertaining.

15’ Gharb almost surprised St Lawrence against the run of play but a lob from close distance by Francesco Xuereb, when the goalkeeper was out of his position, ended just over the crossbar.

20’ St Lawrence replied with a shot from a long distance by sub-Jurgen Attard but the ball ended away from goal.

28’ St Lawrence could have created more danger but a header from a good position by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a cross by Eman Bugeja ended high.

35’ (post) St Lawrence was unlucky when James Grima released Ebube Ralph Okpokwu inside Gha’s area but the latter saw his low shot stopped by the post.

38’ The Spurs were again dangerous through a shot by James Grima but the ball ended just wide.

45+2’ St Lawrence went very close to seal the win with a second goal but an effort by substitute Owen Grech ended high.

FT (GR 0 – SLS 1)

Referee: Patrick Falzon 

Asst. Referees: Gerard William Zammit Young, Denis Kadri

Photo: Anthony Cassar