22 November 2025
GFA Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 4) Kercem Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC: 2
Oratory Youths FC : 0
67’ (red card) Christian Cardona (OY)
79’ (1-0) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa
45+1’ (2-0) Jake Sacco
Zebbug R:
A. Brignoli, A. Abela, B. Camilleri (K. Sciberras 77), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, H. Paulin (N.J. Camilleri 90), N.J. Cini, J. Sacco, L. Portelli, N. Cassar, I. Belhadj, J. Buttigieg.
Oratory Y:
P. Cremona, R. Portelli, E. Refalo, C. Cardona, K. Farrugia, J. Xerri (C. Briffa (52), G. Ellis, J.V. Candido, C. Azzopardi, N. Said, J. Attard.
In the first match of the fourth day of the BOV Gozo Football League second division championship, Zebbug Rovers obtained an important 2–0 win against Oratory Youths.
This match was a direct confrontation between the two teams who were in the bottom two places of the table and who were still without a win, although Zebbug were also still without any points. With this result, Zebbug not only achieved their first victory, but with the points gained, they pushed Oratory into last place and also overtook Munxar Falcons.
Zebbug’s victory was deserved as they created more scoring chances, but they had to wait until the final stages — when they were playing with an extra player — to score the goals that decided the match. Zebbug showed superiority over their opponents throughout the first half but failed to make use of several scoring opportunities, allowing Oratory to remain in the match. The Youths came out much better in the second half and looked as though they could challenge for the three points, but midway through the half, they had a player sent off, making it more difficult for them to create actions towards goal, and they ended up conceding the two goals when there was no time left to recover.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
Zebbug were more aggressive throughout the first half, keeping the initiative and putting pressure on the opposing defence for long stretches. However, Zebbug were very erratic with their finishing, allowing Oratory to reach halftime with a goalless draw.
8’ Zebbug could have been more dangerous, but a shot from Harry Paulin from a good position went wide.
15’ In another Zebbug action, the same Harry Paulin had an attempt saved well by Oratory goalkeeper Paul Cremona.
28’ Oratory responded with a good initiative by Geordie Ellis, who passed the defence but hit a low shot that went wide.
30’ Zebbug missed another opportunity to open the score when Goncalves Barbosa got through well but fired off target.
31’ (crossbar) Zebbug came very close to scoring when a shot by Harry Paulin hit the crossbar, and from the rebound the same striker miskicked, and the ball went over.
37’ The last scoring chance for Zebbug before halftime came from an initiative by Ishamel Behadj, who passed well, but from his cross,s Luke Portelli shot off target.
HT (0–0)
Second Half:
The second half developed into a more contested match as Oratory came out of their defensive shape and also began creating danger. However, Oratory compromised the match when they ended up playing with a man less, allowing Zebbug to take advantage, score the opening goal, and seal the win in added time.
10’ Oratory was dangerous through a free-kick from Christian Cardona, but Zebbug goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli saved with some difficulty.
16’ Zebbug’s goalkeeper was again called into action to neutralise another shot by Christian Cardona.
22’ (Red Card) Oratory were reduced to 10 men when Christian Cardona was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Luke Portelli.
25’ Zebbug missed a good chance when Oratory goalkeeper Paul Cremona saved a long-range shot by Nathan John Cini but failed to hold it; from the rebound, Harry Paulin shot wide from a good position.
28’ Zebbug had another dangerous attempt through Jake Sacco, but the ball went wide.
31’ Zebbug goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli was once again called upon to save a free-kick by Ethan Refalo.
34’ (1–0) Zebbug took the lead when Harry Paulin advanced down the right and from his low cross, Haraan Goncalves Barbosa finished into the net with a tap-in.
45+1’ (2–0) Zebbug sealed the win when Goncalves Barbosa broke forward on a counterattack and passed to Jake Sacco, who finished easily into an empty net.
FT (ZR 2 – OY 0)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Paula Buttigieg
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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