20 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 11) Gozo Stadium
Oratory Youths FC: 1
Xaghra United FC : 3
3’ (0-1) Johan Alberto Castano
13’ (0-2) penalty Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo
14’ (0-3) Michael Bezzina
47’ (1-3) Deison Arvey Cuero
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, C. Cardona, R. Portelli (A. Refalo 24), I. Zarb, G. Ellis (C. Saliba 89), O.
Xuereb (S. Attard 41), D. Saliba, N.M. Venegas Miranda, J.I. Offorzor, R. Almeida
Lopes, D.A. Cuero.
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, S. Galea, L. Farrugia (C. Galea 83), M. Bezzina, J.A. Castano, S. Sultana (J.
Bajada 77), D. Andelovic, D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb, J. Vella (G. Debono 63), J.Y. Suzuki
Bicudo.
Xaghra United regained their status as one of the challengers for the title with three
points obtained from a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths. This was Xaghra’s
second consecutive win in the campaign after a difficult period so that recovered the
form of play expressed during the first part of the first round. This result was also the
same score as Xaghra’s win over Oratory in the match between the two sides of the first
round.
Xaghra’s win practically matured with three goals scored at an early stage of the
encounter so they took the driving seat and administered their lead for the rest of
the encounter. Oratory, who are still without a point in the championship, had two
debutants for this match, Nicholas Matias Venegas Miranda, a striker from Chile, and
Nigerian central defender Julius Ifeanyi Offorzor. The Youths tried to be more
competitive than they did in the previous eight matches but compromised the possibility
to earn the first point during the first minutes of play. Oratory managed to regain
composure after conceding the third goal. They came out of their defence and the
match became more interesting, particularly during the second period when Oratory
scored their consolation goal.
Timeline:
Xaghra took the initiative of play from the early stages and opened a comfortable
three-goal cushion within the opening quarter of an hour of play. Oratory tried to
produce a reaction and in the remaining half hour of the first half they managed to
neutralise better Xaghra’s play but had few potential scoring opportunities.
2’ Oratory created the first dangerous action of the match through a strike by Delan
Saliba was saved with some difficulty by Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb.
3’ (0-1) Xaghra punished their opponents for the missed chance and opened the score
when Jack Vella released Johan Alberto Castano who turned around the goalkeeper
and fired into an open goal.
13’ (0-2) penalty Xaghra doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty for a
foul by Venegas Miranda on Lucas Farrugia and Julian Yoiti Suzuki Bicudo
converted his shot from the spot kick.
14’ (0-3) Oratory were shocked and conceded the third goal when Suzuki Bicudo
unmarked Michael Bezzina inside the area and the latter concluded in goal with a low
shot.
17’ Xaghra were again dangerous through an attempt from a free kick by Damir
Andelovic but the ball ended just wide.
20’ Oratory replied with an attempt from outside the area by Delan Saliba but the ball
ended over the crossbar.
30’ Oratory could have reduced the score but a low shot by Rian Almeida Lopes was
stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
44’ Xaghra went very close to add another goal when Lucas Farrugia delivered an
inviting low cross from the right but Jack Vella incredibly concluded wide from close
distance.
HT (0-3)
Second Half
Xaghra seemed overconfident during the opening stages of the second period so
they allowed Oratory to come out of their defence. Oratory scored a goal after a few
minutes of play and grew in confidence so that the match became much more
contested until the end of the encounter.
2’ (1-3) Oratory reduced the score when Deison Arvey Cuero surprised Xaghra’s
goalie with a shot from a long distance.
21’ (protests for penalty) Oratory protested for a penalty when Delan Saliba ended on
the floor inside Xaghra’s area following a challenge by an opponent from the same
action a low shot by Deison Cuero was blocked to a corner by the defence.
24’ Xaghra could have scored another goal when Johan Alberto Castano took a
clearance from Oratory’s goalie and passed to Suzuki Bicudo but the latter concluded
wide from an ideal position.
31’ Xaghra’s goalie denied Oratory from re-opening the issue when he saved with
difficulty to a corner a header by substitute Sean Attard following a free kick from a long
distanced by Delan Saliba.
45+3’ Xaghra went again close to score a fourth goal when Michael Bezzina delivered
the ball inside Oratory’s area from a free kick but Johan Alberto Castano’s header from
a good position ended high.
FT (OY 1 – XU 3)
Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Patrick Falzon
0 Comments