4 October 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC: 2
Oratory Youths FC: 1
57’ (1-0) Wesley Mateus Leal Baranaske
66’ (1-1) Neil Said
81’ (2-1) Wesley Mateus Leal Baranaske
90+2’ (red card) Paul Cremona (OY)
Gharb R:
L. Buttigieg, A. Sultana, S. Sillato, T. Axiak, O. Cremona, K. Hili, S. Gauci (J.G. Vella
69), W.M. Leal Barnaske, D. Hili, L. Sultana, D. Farrugia.
Oratory Y:
P. Cremona, O. Calleja, E. Refalo, A. Da Silva Arruda (Aroldinho), K. Farrugia (C.
Briffa 85), J. Xerri, G. Ellis (O. Xuereb 64), C. Azzopardi, S. Attard, N. Said (Z.
Camilleri 90+2), J. Attard.
In the opening match of the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, Gharb
Rangers claimed a 2–1 victory over Oratory Youths, confirming their potential to be
one of the leading sides in the division this season.
Gharb were the more adventurous team throughout the match, enjoying greater
possession and initiative. However, they failed to make their superiority count early
on and could not establish a comfortable lead. Oratory surprised their opponents
midway through the second half by scoring the equaliser, making the game more
open for a spell. Still, Oratory could not hold on, as Gharb found the decisive goal in
the closing stages to secure all three points.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
Gharb started the match on the front foot, seeing more of the ball and creating the
better chances. However, Oratory defended compactly and managed to keep the
danger away from their area for most of the half, which ended goalless.
5’ Gharb could have taken the lead, but Luke Sultana’s shot finished over the bar.
8’ Oratory replied through Arruda, who tried his luck while the goalkeeper was out of
position, but his effort went wide.
18’ Oratory goalkeeper Paul Cremona made a fine save to deny Luke Sultana.
27’ Gharb threatened again through a free kick by Daniel Farrugia, which Cremona
only partially saved before the defence cleared the danger with some difficulty.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
The match maintained a similar pattern after the break, with Gharb continuing to
dictate play. They deservedly took the lead, but Oratory produced a good reaction to
level the score. As the match opened up, Gharb pushed forward again and managed
to score the decisive goal less than ten minutes from time.
48’ Oratory goalkeeper Paul Cremona was kept busy, pulling off two close-range
saves to deny Wesley Barnaske’s headers.
57’ (1–0) Gharb finally broke the deadlock when Wesley Barnaske received a pass
from Luke Sultana and finished neatly from close range.
66’ (1–1) Oratory equalised through Neil Said, who converted a cross from
Substitute Omar Xuereb from an ideal position inside the box.
73’ Oratory nearly took the lead when Aroldinho dribbled past defenders, but his shot
was deflected for a corner by Samuel Sillato with the goalkeeper beaten. From the
resulting corner, Aroldinho’s follow-up effort was saved with difficulty by Gharb
goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.
76’ Gharb responded with a free kick from substitute Joseph George Vella, which
was well saved by Cremona.
81’ (2–1) Gharb regained the lead when Wesley Barnaske broke free and lobbed
The advancing goalkeeper with a precise low shot.
90+2’ (Red card) Oratory finished the match with ten men after the goalkeeper Paul
Cremona was shown a straight red card for retaliation following an altercation with
Luke Sultana.
FT (GR 2 – OY 1)
Referee: Darko Stankovic
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Jacob Luke Myatt
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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