31 January 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 9) Kercem Stadium
Gharb Rangers FC : 4
Munxar Falcons FC : 3
2’ (1-0) Oliver Cremona
25’ (1-1) Ayesller Carvalho
38’ (2-1) Daniel Farrugia
63’ (2-2) Geordie Debono
65’ (2-3) Dylan Paul Rapa
78’ (3-3) Steve Gauci
88’ (4-3) Sintayehu Curmi
Gharb R:
L. Buttigieg, A. Sultana, T. Axiak (S. Sillato 46), O. Cremona, A.J. Obaje, D. Hili, L. Sultana (S. Curmi 59), D. Depasquale (S. Gauci 72), J. Pace, D. Farrugia, J.G. Vella (E. Bugeja 72).
Munxar F:
A. Debono, P. Parnis, D. Bajada, O. Grech, A. Carvalho, G. Debono (P. Vella 81), L. Meilak (K. Mizzi 64), J. Cutajar, E. Galea, D.P. Rapa, O. Curmi.
Gharb Rangers secured a dramatic 4–3 victory over bottom-placed Munxar Falcons, a result that keeps them firmly in the promotion race as they sit in second place, just one point behind leaders St Lawrence and with a game in hand.
Gharb were the clear favourites going into this encounter, but Munxar showed strong motivation and put up a spirited challenge against the higher-rated opponents. For long stretches, Munxar remained in contention for a positive result. Gharb appeared to take control of the match when they regained the lead for the second time shortly before the end of the first half, but they then suffered a strong reaction from Munxar midway through the second half. As a result, Gharb had to battle harder than expected before eventually claiming all three points, with the decisive goal arriving in the closing moments of the match.
Timeline
First Half:
Gharb made an excellent start and scored early, but Munxar responded well and continued to believe they could salvage a result by the end of the first half.
2’ (1–0) Gharb opened the scoring through a powerful long-range shot by Oliver Cremona that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
8’ Munxar replied with a shot by Ayesller Carvalho, which was saved by goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.
16’ Munxar goalkeeper Aiden Debono was called into action to save a shot from a tight angle by Damian Depasquale, turning it out for a corner.
20’ Gharb goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg produced an important save to deny Ayesller Carvalho.
25’ (1–1) Munxar surprised their opponents by equalising with a central long-range shot by Ayesller Carvalho that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
35’ Munxar threatened again when a shot by Geordie Debono was saved by Luke Buttigieg.
38’ (2–1) Gharb restored their lead from a free kick by Joseph George Vella, with Daniel Farrugia finishing centrally.
45’ Munxar nearly equalised before the break, but Dylan Paul Rapa headed wide after a cross by Ayesller Carvalho.
HT (2-1)
Second Half:
The match remained fiercely contested, especially after Munxar turned the score in their favour. Gharb reacted strongly, and after drawing level once more, they increased their efforts to secure victory, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the final moments.
18’ (2–2) Munxar equalised for the second time through a shot from the edge of the area by Geordie Debono that caught the defence off guard.
20’ (2–3) Munxar took the lead for the first time when David Bajada delivered a cross from the left, and Dylan Paul Rapa finished with a low shot past the goalkeeper.
23’ Munxar goalkeeper Aiden Debono made a difficult save to turn a free kick by Joseph George Vella out for a corner.
33’ (3–3) Gharb equalised when substitute Samuel Sillato crossed into the area, and fellow substitute Steve Gauci headed the ball into the net.
43’ (4–3) Gharb regained the lead and scored the decisive goal when Munxar failed to clear the ball from inside the area following a cross from the left. Substitute Sintayehu Curmi took advantage of the ensuing scramble to fire the ball into the net.
FT (GR 4 – MF 3)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Asst. Referees: Steve Baldacchino, Paula Buttigieg
0 Comments