7 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 8) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 3
Gharb Rangers FC : 3
27’ (1-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
48’ (2-0) Igor Nedeljkovic
50’ (2-1) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
53’ (3-1) Paul Said
62’ (3-2) Kenny Hili
72’ (3-3) Anthony Sultana
Sannat L:
K. Attard, D. Galea, C. Gauci, P. Said (E. Gauci 90+1), S.F. Bajada, T. Grech (N. Grima 90+1), K. Calleja, E. Bennici, A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg (J. Vella 68), I. Nedeljkovic.
Gharb R:
L. Buttigieg, A. Sultana, S. Sillato (J.G. Vella 77), O. Cremona, K. Hili, S. Gauci (E. Bugeja 46), A.J. Obaje, D. Hili, D. Depasquale (T. Axiak 46), J. Pace, D. Farrugia.
In an entertaining promotion clash, Sannat Lions and Gharb Rangers shared a point each from a 3-3 draw. With this result Gharb caught up with St Lawrence Spurs at the top, while Sannat Lions remained two points behind the leaders, after both teams had played ten matches.
This match — a rescheduled fixture postponed earlier because of bad weather — lived up to expectations as both sides looked determined to take the points and claim first place. Sannat wanted a win to overtake Gharb, and for long spells they looked capable of doing so, taking a two-goal lead on two occasions. Gharb, however, kept believing and, using their more experienced players, managed to recover and neutralize the deficit so that in the closing part of the game victory could have gone either way.
Timeline
First Half:
The opening half was mainly played in midfield and chances on goal were rare. As time went on Sannat became more direct towards the goal, opened the scoring, grew in confidence and remained dangerous until the end of the first period.
22’ Gharb came close when Samuel Sillato delivered a low cross from the left but Damian Depasquale failed to connect.
27’ (1-0) Sannat took the lead when Aaron Azzopardi crossed from the right and Igor Nedeljkovic rose well to head the ball into the net.
32’ Sannat went close again with a good-positioned shot from Igor Nedeljkovic that was blocked for a corner by the defence.
37’ Another Sannat attempt: a shot from Paul Said went wide.
38’ Gharb threatened when Kenny Hili passed into the box to Damian Depasquale, whose poor contact from a good position allowed the defence to clear the danger.
39’ Gharb goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg denied Sannat a second when he saved a close-range header from Igor Nedeljkovic; Buttigieg then blocked Paul Said’s central shot and conceded a corner.
45’ Luke Buttigieg was again called into action to turn Paul Said’s shot for a corner; from the resulting corner Sannat’s attackers couldn’t capitalize on the confusion in front of goal and the defence cleared.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
The second half was much more lively as both teams increased the intensity trying to grab the win; the score changed more than once and the final result remained in doubt until the last moments.
3’ (2-0) Sannat doubled their lead when Igor Nedeljkovic received a long ball, turned past a defender and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to the far post.
5’ (2-1) Gharb got back into the match: from a Kenny Hili corner Aud-Gustine Obaje’s header was initially blocked but he reacted to the rebound and headed into the net.
8’ (3-1) Sannat restored their two-goal advantage when Igor Nedeljkovic laid the ball into the box to Paul Said, who beat the keeper with a low shot.
15’ Sannat threatened again with a shot from Igor Nedeljkovic that went wide.
17’ (3-2) Gharb reduced the deficit with a strike from the edge of the box by Kenny Hili that surprised the goalkeeper.
27’ (3-3) Gharb continued to push and equalized when Eman Bugeja delivered the ball into the box from a free kick and Anthony Sultana rose well to head into the net.
35’ Another Gharb header from Aud-Gustine Obaje, following a free kick by substitute Joseph George Vella, was saved by goalkeeper Kyle Attard.
36’ The same goalkeeper was again called into action to save a dangerous shot from Damon Hili.
FT (SL 3 – GR 3)
Referee: Mark Azzopardi
Asst. Referees: Rapjan Xhyra, Adnan Guleli
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