11 October 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 1) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 2
Zebbug Rovers FC: 1
7’ (1-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
19’ (2-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
85’ (2-1) Jake Sacco
90+6’ (red card) Sam Frank Bajada (SL)
Sannat L:
K. Attard, J. Axiak, D. Galea, C. Gauci, E. Gauci (K. Calleja 59), M. Vella (P. Said 59), T. Grech (S.F. Bajada 82), E. Bennici (S. Curmi 59), A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg, I. Nedeljkovic.
Zebbug R:
A. Brignoli, P. Spiteri, G. Portelli (K. Sciberras 55), B. Camilleri (M. Vella 79), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, H. Paulin, N.J. Cini, J. Sacco, L. Portelli, N. Cassar, J. Buttigieg.
Sannat Lions had an excellent start to their league campaign with a 2–1 victory over Zebbug Rovers. With this result, Sannat avenged the defeat they had suffered against the same opponents just a week earlier in the Second Division Challenge Cup final.
This match was regarded as a direct encounter between two teams expected to challenge for promotion. Throughout the game, Zebbug had more initiative, but Sannat were well-organised in defence and made it difficult for the Zebbug attackers to create dangerous scoring opportunities. Sannat remained threatening on the counterattack and ultimately secured all three points through two early goals. The Lions came under pressure in the closing stages when Zebbug reduced the deficit, but they managed to defend their lead until the referee’s final whistle.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
Zebbug started aggressively from the early minutes, but Sannat caught their opponents off guard with two goals scored from isolated actions. As the half progressed, Zebbug appeared confused in their response and failed to convert their territorial dominance into real scoring chances.
5’ Zebbug could have taken the lead, but a shot from a good position by Haraan Gonçalves Barbosa went wide.
7’ (1–0) Sannat opened the scoring when Igor Nedeljkovic broke through the defence on a counterattack and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot.
19’ (2–0) Sannat doubled their lead when Igor Nedeljkovic was left unmarked inside the box and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper with a grounder.
23’ Zebbug had a good opportunity to pull one back when Nathan John Cini broke into the box, but the goalkeeper came out in time to block the danger.
39’ (crossbar) Zebbug went close to scoring when Jake Sacco broke through on the right, but his cross-shot hit the crossbar.
HT (2–0)
Second Half:
In the second half, Zebbug intensified their efforts to get back into the match, but Sannat stayed disciplined in defence, and clear chances were rare. Zebbug managed to reduce the margin late in the game, but Sannat held firm to secure the victory.
62’ Żebbug had a good chance to reduce the score when Haraan Gonçalves Barbosa beat the offside trap and anticipated the goalkeeper’s movement, but his shot finished wide.
80’ Sannat almost extended their lead when a shot from substitute Paul Said missed the target.
85’ (2–1) Zebbug pulled one back when Jake Sacco turned and fired home from a corner action, the ball crossing the line despite the defenders’ attempts to clear it.
90+1’ Zebbug came very close to salvaging a point, but Sannat goalkeeper Kyle Attard made a crucial save to turn a Jake Sacco header around the post following a cross by Paul Spiteri.
90+6’ (red card) Sannat were reduced to ten players when substitute Sam Frank Bajada was sent off for retaliation.
FT (SL 2 – ZR 1)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Asst. Referees: Mark Azzopardi, Raymond Tabone
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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