30 November 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 4) Kercem Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC: 2
Gharb Rangers FC : 0
18’ (1-0) Andrea Debrincat
28’ (2-0) Andrew Mizzi
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, J. Theuma (T. Markovic 79), R. Saliba, L. Atzori (D. Depasquale 68), A. Mizzi, A. Xuereb, A. Debrincat, L. Sultana, S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva (K. Sciberras 85).
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, A. Sultana, D. Galea, T. Axiak, S. Gauci, B.O. Igbinobaro, M. Tabone (N. Grima 68), F. Xuereb (M. Vella 68), E. Vella, J. Xerri (C. Zammit 87), K. Attard (K. Theuma 87).
Kercem Ajax ended Match-Day 4 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the second division on maximum points and without conceding a goal in the first four matches, following a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Gharb Rangers.
Kercem had control of play for long stretches but they seemed overconfident and they also took their foot from the pedal after scoring the second goal so that the outcome of the match was decided before the half-hour mark. Gharb was determined to avoid a heavy defeat in this match against the favourites for promotion and also tried to surprise their opponents with sporadic breaks. In the end, Gharb left the field of play empty-handed but with their heads held up high as they kept a respectable score until the final whistle.
Timeline:
Kercem as expected took command of play from the first minutes of the encounter and missed some good chances where they could have opened the score. Gharb tried to neutralise Kercem’s pressure but their wall was defeated on 18 minutes and for the remaining minutes, Ajax continued to dictate matters to end the first half with a two-goal lead.
2’ Kercem could have opened the score but a close-ranged shot on the run by Cesar Velez Da Silva following a cross by Lorenzo Atzori ended wide.
7’ The Ajax went again close to scoring but a header by Samuel Azzopardi from a corner action ended over the crossbar.
18’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef was called to make a difficult intervention to block to a corner a shot by Andrew Mizzi following a personal action.
18’ (1-0) Kercem opened the score from the resultant corner kick taken by Luke Sultana, as Andrea Debrincat surprised the defence and netted with a header from close distance.
23’ Gharb’s goalie denied Kercem from adding another goal when he blocked a good shot from close distance by Andrea Debrincat and from the rebound the shot by Lorenzo Atzori was cleared from the goalmouth by central defender Anthony Sultana.
28’ (2-0) Kercem doubled their lead when Andrew Mizzi entered Gharb’s area with personal action and concluded in goal with a low drive towards the far post.
34’ In another good action by Kercem, Samuel Azzopardi passed through Gharb’s defence but from his low inviting cross. Andrea Debrincat incredibly lifted over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.
35’ The Ajax could have scored a third goal but a header by Lorenzo Atzori from a good position ended just wide.
HT (2-0)
Second Half
After the break, Kercem reduced their pressure on Gharb’s defence so that the Rangers took the opportunity to come out of their defence but the two defensive departments were often in control of the respective strikers so that the score remained unchanged.
10’ Gharb had their best attempt of the encounter through a strike from outside the area by Justin Xerri but Kercem’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was well-placed and saved the danger.
18’ Kercem had their first serious attempt of the second period through a shot by Lorenzo Atzori that was saved in two attempts by Gharb’s keeper Andre Micallef.
22’ (crossbar) Ajax went very close to scoring the third goal but a header by Cesar Velez Da Silva hit the crossbar.
29’ Gharb’s keeper Andre Micallef was well placed and saved a good shot by Cesar Velez Da Silva following a personal action.
34’ Gharb went again close to reduce the score but a shot from a long-ranged free kick by Karl Attard ended just wide.
36’ Kercem could have added another goal but a shot from a good position by Luke Sultana was blocked by Gharb’s keeper Andre Micallef.
37’ Kercem’s Cesar Velez Da Silva took the ball from a back pass by Gharb’s defence but missed the opportunity to place in goal as Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef left his position in time and denied the Brazilian striker from concluding in the net.
FT (KA 2 – GR 0)
Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo
Asst. Referees:, Rapjan Xhyra, Luca Grech
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