22 March 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 17) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 4
24’ (0-1) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
45’ (0-2) penalty Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
68’ (0-3) Samuel Azzopardi
81’ (1-3) Ibrahim Salis
90+1’ (1-4) Andre Azzopardi
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, J. Vella (N. Agius 73), E. Xiberras (D. Vella 82), T. Agius (P.J. Muscat 82), M. Mamo (N. Sultana 65), D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini (Claudir), Y. Abedi (Rodo), I. Salis.
Kercem A:
F. Vella, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic (A. Azzopardi 76), N.C. Saveriano (Nenem), R. Saliba, A.G. Castro Martins (J. Theuma 53), A. Mizzi (L. Atzori 67), A. Xuereb (T. Markovic 76), S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, M. Camilleri (G. Muscat 76).
Kercem Ajax are now on the verge of becoming the mathematical champions of Gozitan football this season after securing all three points with a 4–1 victory over Xaghra United. With this result, Kercem continued to demonstrate their superiority and extended their winning streak to nine consecutive matches.
Xaghra entered the match in good form, having recently collected important points that lifted them off the bottom of the table and gave them a comfortable advantage over the last-placed team. However, in this encounter, they struggled to challenge the league leaders, and despite their effort, they never truly looked capable of achieving a positive result. Kercem dominated from the opening minutes and, even though they did not create many scoring opportunities, they deservedly ended the first half with a two-goal advantage.
In the second half, Xaghra initially showed signs that they might attempt a comeback, but Kercem remained the superior side and went on to secure the win by scoring twice more. Xaghra’s efforts were eventually rewarded with a consolation goal shortly before the final whistle.
Timeline
First Half:
Serious scoring opportunities were rare for both sides, as Xaghra were well-organised and allowed Kercem few spaces in attack. However, Kercem made the most of the chances they created, scoring twice to take a comfortable halftime lead.
8’ Kercem could have created more danger when Andre Martins broke through on the left, but his effort was blocked for a corner.
24’ (0–1) Kercem opened the scoring when a low cross from Isaias Cruz cut through the defence, allowing Andre Martins to tap the ball into the net.
38’ Another corner from Michael Camilleri found Andre Martins, whose header was blocked in front of goal.
44’ (0–2) penalty Kercem doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Junior Claudir fouled Nenem. Andre Martins scored with a precise shot from eleven metres.
HT (0-2)
Second Half:
The match opened up considerably after the break, with more attacking action from both teams. Xaghra attempted to recover, but Kercem remained organised and created several dangerous chances. They added a third goal, and although Xaghra managed to pull one back late on, they could not prevent Kercem from sealing a convincing victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time.
2’ Kercem goalkeeper Franklin Vella was called into action to block a shot from Yousouf Rodo.
7’ Kercem responded through a solo run by Isaias Cruz, but Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit pushed the ball to safety.
9’ A good opportunity for Kercem was wasted when Andrew Mizzi’s shot from a promising position finished wide.
13’ Another chance for Kercem saw Nenem shoot from the centre, but the ball went over the bar.
17’ Xaghra replied with a weak header from Tristen Agius, easily saved by Vella.
18’ (disallowed goal) Kercem appeared to score again when Isaias Cruz sent the ball to Nenem, who finished into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
23’ (0–3) Kercem added a third when a corner from Michael Camilleri caused trouble for the defence, Samuel Azzopardi’s header hit substitute Lorenzo Atzori, but the same Azzopardi pounced to fire the ball into the net.
27’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit stepped out quickly to clear the ball before Isaias Cruz could head it past him.
36’ (1–3) Xaghra reduced the margin when the Kercem defence failed to clear a free kick by Fabian John Xuereb, allowing Ibrahim Salis to score from close range.
34’ Kercem replied with a shot from Samuel Azzopardi, whose effort was saved in two attempts by goalkeeper Zammit.
45+1’ (1–4) Kercem sealed the victory when goalkeeper Zammit failed to hold Nenem’s shot, and substitute Andre Azzopardi converted the rebound.
FT (XU 1 – KA 4)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: David Cilia, Robert Curtis
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