13 December 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 6) Kercem Stadium
Oratory Youths FC : 2
Gharb Rangers FC : 4
3’ (1-0) Arruda Aroldo Da Silva (Aroldinho)
8’ (1-1) Anthony Sultana
24’ (1-2) Luke Sultana
29’ (2-2) Arruda Aroldo Da Silva (Aroldinho)
77’ (2-3) Gean Dias Nascimento De Freitas
90+5’ (2-4) Kenny Hili
Oratory Y:
P. Cremona, R. Portelli, E. Refalo, C. Saliba (O. Calleja 62), A. Da Silva Arruda (Aroldinho) K. Farrugia, J. Xerri (R. Curmi 86) , G. Ellis, C. Cardona (J. Grima 62), S. Attard, J. Attard.
Gharb R:
L. Buttigieg, A. Sultana, S. Sillato (S. Gauci 68), T. Axiak, O. Cremona, D. Hili, L. Sultana, D. Depasquale, G. Dias Nascimento De Freitas, D. Farrugia, J.G. Vella (K. Hili 68).
In the opening match of the second round of the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, Gharb Rangers secured three important points with a 4–2 victory over Oratory Youths, remaining alone at the top of the league table.
Although Gharb enjoyed territorial superiority from the early stages, Oratory proved to be serious challengers throughout the first half. However, after the interval Gharb took control of the match and eventually secured a deserved victory.
With this result, Gharb confirmed that they have the potential to be strong promotion contenders, showing that they possess experienced players capable of guiding the team through difficult situations. On the other hand, Oratory once again missed the opportunity to earn a positive result against a direct rival in the standings. Despite a good first-half performance, they struggled under pressure in the second half and, after conceding the third goal, never looked likely to recover.
Timeline
First Half:
The opening half was keenly contested, with Gharb finding it difficult to impose their game while Oratory remained well organised in defence and very dangerous in attack. As a result, both teams went into the break level after an entertaining four-goal first half.
3’ (1–0) Oratory opened the scoring in their first serious attack when Aroldinho surprised the goalkeeper with a shot from an angled position.
8’ (1–1) Gharb equalised from a corner taken by Joseph George Vella, with Anthony Sultana finishing from close range.
11’ Oratory goalkeeper Paul Cremona made a fine save to deny Damian Hili, and from the resulting corner, Anthony Sultana headed over.
24’ (1–2) Gharb turned the score around when Gean Dias crossed low from the left for the unmarked Luke Sultana, who beat the goalkeeper with a half-high finish.
29’ (2–2) Oratory restored parity as Charlton Saliba delivered a low cross from the right that evaded the defence, allowing Aroldinho to finish from a good position.
45+1’ Oratory missed a good chance following a scramble in the Gharb penalty area, but the defence eventually cleared the danger.
HT (2–2)
Second Half:
After the break, Gharb increased their intensity and maintained pressure on the Oratory defence. Clear-cut chances were limited, keeping the match finely balanced.
17’ Gharb threatened when Damian Depasquale’s effort from a good position was saved for a corner by Paul Cremona.
32’ (2–3) Gharb regained the lead through a direct free kick by Gean Dias, which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
39’ Paul Cremona kept Oratory in the match with an excellent save from close range to deny Gean Dias following a cross from substitute Kenny Hili.
45+5’ (2–4) Gharb sealed the victory when Oratory committed players forward for a corner. From the defensive clearance, Kenny Hili broke free and calmly finished into an empty net.
FT (OY 2 – GR 4)
Referee: Huseyin Baykus
Asst. Referees: Derome Agius, Gabriel Oladipupo Ibukunoluwa
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