22 December 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 8) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC: 2
Xaghra United FC : 0
24’ (1-0) Ewerton Jose Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom)
57’ (2-0) penalty Ewerton Jose Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom)
Ghajnsielem:
R. Sammut, A. Xuereb, P. Rapa (W. Hili 75), N.I. Belhadj (D. Portelli 85), E.J. Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom), J. Buttigieg, H. Muscat, J. Tabone Refalo, D. Murillo Borrero, J.A. Gonzalez Castillo, D.A. Cuero.
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, L. Farrugia, E. Xiberras, T. Agius (J. Xureb 72), M. Mamo (D. Saliba 80), D. Sowatey, J.C. Marini (Claudir), Y. Abedi (Rodo), I. Salis.
In the final match of 2025, Ghajnsielem scored one goal in each half to secure a 2–0 victory over Xaghra United, thereby confirming their ambition to be among the main contenders for the championship title.
Both Ghajnsielem and Xaghra came into this match following important victories in their previous outings and were seeking a positive result for different objectives. Ghajnsielem are among the leading teams in the standings, while Xaghra were aiming to move away from the bottom of the table. The encounter was keenly contested during the first half, with few clear-cut scoring opportunities. However, in the second half Ghajnsielem were the superior side and the victory could have been by a wider margin. With these three points, Ghajnsielem moved to the top of the table, one point ahead of Kercem Ajax and two points clear of Xewkija Tigers, who have a game in hand. The key figure in this victory was Ghajnsielem player Ewerton Tom, who scored both goals that decided the match.
Timeline
First Half:
Both teams showed plenty of aggression in the opening minutes, but the defences were well organised, and the attackers found it difficult to create dangerous chances. Ghajnsielem took advantage of an opportunity midway through the half to take the lead and then began to control the match with greater confidence.
2’ Xaghra could have created more danger when Lucas Farrugia broke down the right, but goalkeeper Richard Sammut came off his line in time to neutralise the threat.
24’ (1–0) Ghajnsielem opened the scoring through a long-range shot by Ewerton Tom, which took a deflection off a Xaghra defender, looping over the goalkeeper and into the net.
43’ (penalty appeals) Ghajnsielem appealed for a penalty when Jhon Gonzalez went to ground inside the area while attempting to beat his marker.
44’ (crossbar) Ghajnsielem went close when, from a cross by Ewerton Tom, Deison Cuero’s header struck the crossbar.
45+2’ Xaghra threatened when a cross from the right by Etienne Xiberras found Rodi, but defender Daniel Murillo recovered well to block the danger.
45+3’ At the other end, Jhon Gonzalez stole the ball from the defence but hesitated instead of passing to the unmarked Joshua Buttigieg, allowing the chance to go begging.
HT (1–0)
Second Half:
Ghajnsielem took control of proceedings from the opening minutes of the second half, forcing Xaghra onto the defensive and giving them little opportunity to mount a response. The leaders dominated the play and secured a convincing victory, although they could have added more goals.
1’ Ghajnsielem almost doubled their lead when, following an initiative by Ewerton Tom, Deison Cuero fired wide.
2’ (crossbar) Cuero went close again moments later, hitting the crossbar with another effort.
3’ (penalty appeals) Xaghra appealed for a penalty when Ibrahim Salis and Lucas Farrugia went down inside the area while trying to get past the defence.
6’ From another Ghajnsielem attack, Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit cleared a dangerous cross from the left, while Daniel Sowtey blocked Jhon Gonzalez’s follow-up shot to prevent a certain goal.
12’ (2–0) Ghajnsielem doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Jhon Gonzalez was fouled just inside the area, with Ewerton Tom calmly converting.
14’ Ghajnsielem missed a clear chance when Jhon Gonzalez beat the goalkeeper but saw his effort towards an empty net cleared off the line by Savio Galea.
18’ Ewerton Tom set up Deison Cuero once more, but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by the goalkeeper.
19’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit made an important save from a long-range effort by Paul Rapa following a corner.
25’ Ghajnsielem wasted another opportunity when Joshua Buttigieg advanced centrally but opted to shoot instead of passing to the unmarked Jhon Gonzalez, sending the ball over the bar.
33’ Ghajnsielem were dangerous again through a deflected shot by Naim Belhadj, which ended up brushing the side netting.
38’ From a cross by Ewerton Tom on the left, Jhon Gonzalez headed wide from close range.
FT (GHJ 2 – XU 0)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
Asst. Referees: Kyle Cilia, Steve Baldacchino
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