26 April 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Prom/Rel Play Off Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 6
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0
36’ (1-0) Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho)
46’ (2-0) Ibrahim Salis
53’ (3-0) Ibrahim Salis
73’ (4-0) Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho)
82’ (5-0) Harry Paulin
85’ (6-0) Ibrahim Salis
89’(red card) Markus Farrugia (SLS)
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit (F. Azzopardi 86), S. Galea (N. Sultana 68), I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare), L. Farrugia (N. Agius 68), E. Xiberras (D. Vella 86), J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), T. Agius (H. Paulin 58), M. Mamo, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini, I. Salis.
St Lawrence S:
M. Farrugia, K. Borg, C. Grima, J. Xuereb (J. Attard), F.A. De Oliviera, J. Grima (D. Portelli 58), G. Debrincat, C. Farrugia, D. Azzopardi, E.R. Okpokwu (D. Micallef 58), J. Saliba.
In the play-off match for a place in the First Division next season, First Division side Xaghra United secured a convincing 6–0 victory over St Lawrence Spurs, the runners-up of the Second Division, thereby retaining their place in the top division for another season.
Xaghra were favourites going into this encounter, especially as they were coming off a series of positive results, while St Lawrence Spurs had suffered the disappointment of missing out on the chance to fight for promotion in their final league match. Additionally, they had been without competitive action for several weeks.
Xaghra dominated the match throughout but had to wait until the closing stages of the first half to open the scoring. They appeared more confident from the start of the second half and practically secured victory with two quick goals from Ibrahim Salis early on after the restart.
Timeline
First Half:
Xaghra pushed forward from the start, but despite controlling possession, they found it difficult to create clear scoring chances. They eventually broke the deadlock late in the half, relieving much of the pressure.
1’ Xaghra threatened early, but a shot by Pedrinho went wide.
17’ St Lawrence responded with an attempt by Felipe Augusto that went over.
32’ St Lawrence goalkeeper Markus Farrugia was called into action to save a good effort from Pedrinho.
36’ (1–0) Xaghra opened the scoring through Pedrinho, who beat the defence with an individual run before scoring.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
After the break, Xaghra continued to dominate and went on to secure a comprehensive victory.
1’ (2–0) Xaghra doubled their lead immediately through a shot by Ibrahim Salis that caught the goalkeeper off guard.
8’ (3–0) Xaghra effectively sealed the win with a third goal, a long-range strike into the corner by Ibrahim Salis.
10’ St Lawrence had a chance from a corner by Joel Xuereb, but Ebube Ralph Okpkwu’s header was saved by goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
28’ (4–0) Xaghra extended their lead with a free-kick goal from Pedrinho that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
33’ (crossbar) St Lawrence nearly scored a consolation goal, but Felipe Augusto’s shot hit the crossbar.
34’ The St Lawrence goalkeeper made another good save to deny Harry Paulin.
37’ (5–0) Xaghra increased their advantage when Etienne Xiberras crossed and substitute Harry Paulin tapped in.
40’ (6–0) Xaghra sealed the emphatic win with their sixth goal as Ibrahim Salis finished after a solo run.
44’ (red card) St Lawrence ended the match on a negative note when goalkeeper Markus Farrugia was sent off for handling the ball outside the box to deny Ibrahim Salis a scoring opportunity. Xaghra, however, failed to convert the resulting free kick.
FT (XU 6 – SLS 0)
Referee: Daniel Portelli
Asst. Referees: Slawomir Olucha, Paul Apap
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