8 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 12) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 1
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 1
44’ (1-0) Junior Claudir Marini
49’ (1-1) Mustapha Lawal Amodu
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare’), J. Vella, E. Xiberras (T. Agius 81), J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), H. Paulin, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini (Claudir), I. Salis.
SK Victoria W:
O. Xuereb, A.L. Cutler, N. Camilleri, M. Cordina, M.L. Amodu, E. Zammit, E.D. Alvarez Vielma, S. Harland (K. Grima 81), J.M. Pena Ferrucho (N. Grech 69), A. Touarha, J. Bugeja.
In a relegation-zone encounter, Xaghra United and SK Victoria Wanderers shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Xaghra level with Nadur Youngsters at the bottom of the standings, while the Wanderers maintain their six-point advantage over both Nadur and Xaghra.
In this match, the Wanderers appeared more motivated to secure victory and created the greater number of scoring opportunities. However, on several occasions Victoria’s forwards lacked precision, while at other times they were denied by a series of important saves from Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit. As a result, the Wanderers risked leaving the pitch empty-handed until the final whistle.
Xaghra, on the other hand, took what they needed from this encounter. They were very cautious, defending for long stretches and looking to surprise their opponents on the counterattack, where they were dangerous on more than one occasion. The overall pattern of the game reflected the league positions of both teams, and therefore the final result was a fair one.
Timeline
First Half:
For much of the opening half, SK Victoria Wanderers showed greater initiative and had more attempts on goal, but their forwards were erratic. Gradually, Xaghra began to venture forward more and managed to take the lead just before the break.
5’ SK Victoria Wanderers missed an early chance when Xaghra’s defence failed to clear a low cross from the right by Ender Vielma. Emerson Zammit had an effort from an ideal position, but it was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
17’ Mustapha Amodu delivered a cross towards the near post, but Ender Vielma failed to finish from close range.
21’ Xaghra threatened when Victoria’s goalkeeper cleared the ball from in front of goal following a Pedrinho corner, but Fabian John Xuereb’s shot went over.
24’ The Wanderers created another dangerous moment when Vielma sent in a low cross from the left. The defence failed to clear, but Jean Bugeja hesitated and his shot was blocked for a corner by Mattia Zammit.
31’ Victoria squandered another opportunity after Xaghra’s goalkeeper cleared from danger, but Jean Bugeja’s effort from a good position went over.
42’ Xaghra responded with a low shot by Harry Paulin, but it was weak and easily saved by Omar Xuereb.
45’ (1-0) Xaghra took the lead when, from a Pedrinho free-kick, Ibrahim Salis headed against the post and Junior Claudir reacted quickly to turn the rebound into the net.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
SK Victoria Wanderers came out aggressively after the break and, after equalising, increased the pressure in an attempt to turn the result around.
49’ (1-1) The Wanderers equalised when the Xaghra goalkeeper parried a shot by Juan Peña, and Mustapha Amodu reacted first to score from close range.
11’ Victoria were dangerous again through Mustapha Amodu, but his shot from a good position went wide.
28’ Mattia Zammit kept his side in the game with an important save from close range, denying Jean Bugeja after he was set up by Ender Vielma.
30’ Vielma entered the area but was stopped by the defence. The ball fell to Mustapha Amodu, whose angled shot was saved by Zammit.
39’ (Penalty appeals) Xaghra appealed for a penalty when Ibrahim Salis went down in the area under pressure from Andre Cutler.
40’ Zammit continued to play a decisive role, producing a difficult save to deny a dangerous effort from Ender Vielma.
45+2’ Xaghra nearly snatched victory when Ibrahim Salis won the ball in midfield and released Harry Paulin into the area, but his shot from a good position went over.
FT (XU 1 – SKVW 1)
Referee: Adam Brighton
Asst. Referees: Igor Kankaras, Patrick Falzon
0 Comments