12 March 2025
GFA Knock Out 2nd Division (Q/final) Gozo Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC : 2
Zebbug Rovers FC : 1
8’ (0-1) Lemos Gustavo Dos Santos
27’ (1-1) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
56’ (2-1) Marcus Vella
Gharb R:
E. Bajada, A. Sultana, D. Galea, M. Gauci, T. Axiak, B.O. Igbinobaro, F. Xuereb (J. Xerri 70), M. Xuereb, C. Zammit (S. Gauci 53), M. Vella, N.J. Camilleri (E. Vella 85).
Zebbug R:
G. Saliba, P. Spiteri, O. Saliba, J. Azzopardi (L. Galea 81), B. Camilleri, H. Paulin, O. Cremona, P.P. Camilleri, L. Portelli, M. Ciangura, L.G. Dos Santos.
Gharb Rangers earned a place in the semi-finals of the Second Division Knock-Out competition with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Zebbug Rovers.
The match turned out to be a very exciting contest, as Zebbug took the lead early on, but Gharb responded strongly and became the more dangerous side. Gharb managed to turn the game around, scoring a goal in each half to complete their comeback victory.
Photo; Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Zebbug started better than their opponents and took a deserved early lead. However, as the game progressed, Gharb found their rhythm, became more threatening, and managed to equalise, making the match more dynamic.
8’ (0-1) Zebbug opened the scoring through a lob from Lemos Gustavo Dos Santos, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to intervene.
10’ Zebbug threatened again with a long-range shot from Pierre Paul Camilleri, but the ball went wide.
15’ Gharb responded with a dangerous attempt from Marcus Vella, which was saved with difficulty for a corner by Zebbug’s goalkeeper Gabriel Saliba.
17’ Gharb continued to press, with another shot from Marcus Vella going just wide.
18’ Another good chance for Gharb, as Michael Xuereb’s effort narrowly missed the target.
27’ (1-1) – Gharb equalized with a low shot from a tight angle by Baldwin Osayi Ogbinobaro, which found the bottom corner of the net.
37’ Zebbug nearly created another dangerous opportunity when a header from Lemos Gustavo Dos Santos, following a corner by Harry Paulin, went wide.
HT (1-1)
Second Half:
The match remained competitive in the second half, but Gharb managed to take the lead, boosting their confidence and preventing Zebbug from making a comeback.
5’ Zebbug came very close to regaining the lead when Bernard Camilleri entered the box, but his shot towards the far post clipped the upright and went out.
11’ (2-1) Gharb turned the game in their favour when Marcus Vella broke through on the left, entered the box, and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.
30’ Gharb continued to pose a threat, with a free-kick effort from Michael Xuereb going just wide.
FT (GR 2 – ZR 1)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Asst. Referees: Patrick Falzon, Gordon Barbara
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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