11 October 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 5) Gozo Stadium
Ghajnsielem FC : 3
Kercem Ajax FC : 2
22’ (1-0) Stefan Cassar
24’ (2-0) Jhon Alejandro Gonzalez Castillo
54’ (2-1) penalty Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
84’ (3-1) Jesus Maria Meneses Sabater (Chechu)
86’ (3-2) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
Ghajnsielem:
O. Attard, N.C. Njoku, A. Xuereb (J. Xerri 73), I. Xuereb, E.J. Spirandelli Costa (TomTom), D. Mosquera Torres, S. Cassar, E. Espirito Santo De Conceicao (Elizeu), J.M. Meneses Sabater (Chechu), J.A. Gonzalez Castillo, B. Da Cruz (N.I. Belhadj 77).
Kercem A:
M. Saldanha Moreira, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, R. Cicolin Bosquerio, J. Theuma (L. Atzori 75), N.C. Severiano (Nenem), R. Saliba (A. Mizzi 75), A.G. Castro Martins, G. Farrugia (G. Vella 46), S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, M. Camilleri (M. Cordina 46).
Ghajnsielem maintained their perfect start to the First Division campaign with a deserved 3–2 victory over reigning champions Kercem Ajax in the most eagerly anticipated fixture of Matchday 5. Although they conceded their first league goals of the season, Ghajnsielem remained the only team with maximum points, strengthening their hopes of ending a long wait for the title.
For Kercem, a second league defeat left them six points behind leaders Ghajnsielem after four matches, dealing an early setback to their title defence. Played in front of a large crowd at the Gozo Stadium, the encounter lived up to expectations as both sides demonstrated their potential to challenge for the championship. Ghajnsielem again combined defensive organisation with clinical finishing. Kerċem, however, were let down by wayward shooting and struggled for long spells to find the composure needed against their title rivals.
Two goals in quick succession gave Ghajnsielem a commanding first-half lead. Kercem reduced the deficit after the interval, but the leaders withstood their opponents’ pressure before adding a third. A late reply from the champions ensured a tense finish, but Għajnsielem held on for all three points.
Timeline
First Half
Kercem sought to take control from the opening minutes, but Ghajnsielem remained disciplined defensively and gradually began to threaten on the counter-attack. Two goals in as many minutes stunned the champions, giving Ghajnsielem the confidence to manage Kerċem’s increasingly unsettled response.
11′ Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Owen Attard comfortably saved Gabriel Farrugia’s free-kick.
17′ Kercem missed a promising opportunity when Andre Martins miscued his header from Isaias Cruz’s cross, sending the ball wide.
22′ (1–0) Stefan Cassar opened the scoring after Jhon Gonzalez advanced down the right, entered the penalty area and played the ball across to him. Cassar evaded a defender before beating the goalkeeper with a low shot.
24′ (2–0) Jhon Gonzalez doubled Ghajnsielem’s lead with an individual effort. He advanced through the centre and forced his way into the penalty area under pressure before finishing low past the goalkeeper.
27′ Kercem had a chance to reduce the deficit when Cicolin played Nenem into space inside the penalty area, but the forward’s shot towards the far post missed the target.
39′ Nenem got ahead of the defence to threaten again, but Owen Attard blocked his effort.
40′ Attard was called into action once more, saving another Gabriel Farrugia free-kick.
45′ Ghajnsielem nearly extended their advantage, but Kerċem goalkeeper Matheus Saldanha blocked Elizeu’s close-range shot.
HT (2-0)
Second Half
Kercem emerged determined to fight back and reduced the deficit early in the half. The contest became increasingly competitive, with the outcome remaining in doubt as the champions pressed for an equaliser.
3′ Owen Attard was alert to save Nenem’s shot from outside the penalty area.
5′ Għajnsielem responded through Stefan Cassar, whose shot from outside the penalty area was diverted behind for a corner by a decisive intervention from Samuel Azzopardi.
8′ (2–1) — Penalty: Andre Martins brought Kercem back into the contest, converting from the spot after Ian Xuereb fouled him inside the penalty area.
9′ Ghajnsielem threatened from Ewertton Tom’s free-kick, but Nathan Njoku miscued his header and sent the ball wide.
14′ Ewertton Tom allowed the ball to run through to Bruno Da Cruz, but his weak finish was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.
15′ Kercem thought they might have equalised when Owen Attard failed to hold Matthias Cordina’s free-kick at the first attempt. Attard recovered to secure the ball amid appeals that it had crossed the goal line.
16′ — Penalty appeals: Ghajnsielem appealed for a penalty when Jhon Gonzalez went down inside the penalty area under pressure from the defence.
25′ Kercem came close to equalising when Isaias Cruz broke clear and entered the penalty area from the left under pressure. His effort from a tight angle travelled across the face of goal, with no teammate on hand to turn it in.
27′ Kercem missed another opportunity when Nenem miscued his header from a corner and sent the ball wide.
29′ Owen Attard denied Kercem an equaliser, turning a well-struck shot from Isaias Cruz behind for a corner.
37′ Ghajnsielem had a chance to put the result beyond doubt when Duvan Mosquera advanced into the penalty area, but his shot from a tight angle hit the side-netting.
38′ Matheus Saldanha kept Kercem in contention by turning Ewertton Tom’s shot behind for a corner.
39′ (3–1) Chechu Meneses restored Ghajnsielem’s two-goal cushion following a short corner. Nathan Njoku delivered a cross towards the far post, where Meneses arrived to fire into the roof of the net.
41′ (3–2) Kercem responded immediately through Isaias Cruz, whose shot from outside the penalty area caught Owen Attard off guard and reduced the deficit to a single goal.
FT (GHJ 3 – KA 2)
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
Asst. Referees: Luke Portelli, Max-Lee Muscat
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