14 September 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 0
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
32’ (0-1) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
85’ (red card) Savio Galea (XU)
90+1’ (0-2) Daniel Murillo Borrero
Xaghra U:
W.C. Santos, J. Bajada, S. Galea, L. Farrugia, J. Xuereb (N. Sultana 46), M. Gafa (D. Saliba 46), M. Mamo, F.J. Xuereb (N. Agius 82), T. Agius, J.C. Marini, Y. Abedi (Rodo) (E. Xiberras 76).
Ghajnsielem:
R. Sammut, A. Xuereb, N.I. Belhadj, E.J. Spirandelli Costa, J. Buttigieg (P. Rapa 82), H. Muscat, M.A. Scicluna (W. Hili 73), J. Tabone Refalo, D. Murillo Borrero, B.O. Igbinobaro (M. Bezzina 87), D.A. Cuero.
Ghajnsielem made an excellent start to the 2025/2026 league season after securing three deserved points with a 2-0 victory over Xaghra United. This match was seen as a direct clash between two sides aiming to avoid the relegation zone, so both Xaghra and Ghajnsielem came into the encounter highly motivated to secure the full points.
In the early stages, the match appeared to be a balanced affair, but as time progressed, Ghajnsielem grew more adventurous and created more scoring opportunities. After taking the lead, Ghajnsielem remained disciplined, giving its opponents little room to mount a reaction. Xaghra, however, stayed in contention largely thanks to a superb performance from their goalkeeper Winston Santos, who denied Ghajnsielem on multiple occasions with decisive saves.
Xaghra compromised their chances of salvaging a result late in the match when they were reduced to ten men, and Ghajnsielem took advantage to seal the victory with a second goal.
Match Timeline
Photo: Anthony Cassar
First Half:
The first half was mostly played out in midfield as both defences kept their respective strikers under control and chances were scarce. Gradually, Ghajnsielem pushed forward more often, opened the score, and managed to preserve their advantage with authority until the break.
4’ Xagħra created the first chance of the match, but Joel Xuereb’s shot from a good position missed the target.
10’ Ghajnsielem replied through Igbinobaro, who advanced down the left, but his low strike went wide.
31’ Ghajnsielem threatened when Spirandelli delivered a cross from the left, but Joshua Buttigieg’s central header was saved comfortably by Santos.
32’ (0-1) Ghajnsielem took the lead when a cross from Deison Cuero was met by Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro, who headed in unmarked.
41’ Spirandelli set up Joshua Buttigieg, whose low shot was blocked by Santos.
45+4’ Ghajnsielem went close again when defender Murillo Borrero headed narrowly wide from an Alberto Xuereb free kick.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
Photo: Anthony Cassar
After the restart, Ghajnsielem looked to take control of the match, but they were erratic in their finishing and failed to extend their lead. This encouraged Xagħra to believe they could get back into the match, until they suffered a red card late on, which allowed Ghajnsielem to make the result safe.
53’ Santos denied Ghajnsielem a second goal with a fine block on Naim Ibrahim Belhadj’s close-range shot after being set up by Spirandelli.
62’ Xaghra had their best chance to equalise when Fabian John Xuereb’s header from a corner was tipped over by keeper Richard Sammut.
68’ Another dangerous moment for Xaghra saw Marini fire just wide after capitalising on a poor clearance.
83’ Santos once again kept his side in the match with a save from Spirandelli’s angled shot.
85’ (Red Card) Xaghra went down to ten men when central defender Savio Galea was dismissed for stopping Igbinobaro from breaking through on goal.
86’ From the resulting free kick, Alberto Xuereb’s shot was saved by Santos.
90’ The Xaghra goalkeeper produced yet another fine stop, this time from substitute Michael Bezzina’s low strike.
90+1’ (0-2) Ghajnsielem sealed the win when Spirandelli’s corner to the far post was met by Daniel Murillo Borrero, who finished from close range.
90+4’ Spirandelli tested Santos again with a powerful shot, but the keeper was equal to it.
FT (XU 0 – GHJ 2)
Referee: George Anthony Attard
Asst. Referees: Slawomir Olucha, Wayne Spiteri
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