4 October 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 4) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC : 0
Xewkija Tigers FC : 2
12’ (0-1) penalty Marcelo Junior Barbosa
29’ (0-2) Brian Alejandro Parada
SK Victoria W:
A.E. Vella, M.D. Drury, N. Salim (K. Vella 90+1), A.F. Palacios Moreno, G. Nunes Araujo (N. Grech 72), G. Cardona, M. Martinez Escorcia, M.L. Amodu, E. Zammit, B.M. De Sousa Rosa, L. Fenech.
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, S.S. Mahlamaki Camacho, J.M. Vella, M.J. Barbosa (J. Saliba 77), M. Said (J. Vella 69), C. Lyon (A. Azzopardi 87), G. Hili, M. Bonnici, A. Amoako, B.A. Parada, S.F. Niang.
Xewkija Tigers bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a 2–0 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers, moving into joint second place on six points alongside three other teams, including the Wanderers themselves.
The match was lively for long spells, with Victoria showing greater attacking initiative and keeping the opposing defence under pressure. However, the Wanderers failed to capitalise on their scoring opportunities, while Xewkija exploited gaps at the back to score twice before half-time. The Tigers then defended resolutely after the interval, denying Victoria a route back into the contest and securing a deserved victory.
Timeline
First Half
The Wanderers took control from the opening minutes, but Xewkija’s early attacking threat earned them a penalty and the lead. That breakthrough allowed the Tigers to adopt a more measured approach, defending carefully while exploiting the spaces left by Victoria as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
6′ SK Victoria Wanderers missed an excellent opportunity when Miguel De Sousa advanced down the left and delivered a cross, but Gabriel Cardona fired wide from close range.
8′ Xewkija responded through Carlos Lyon, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Andriy Etienne Vella.
10′ (0–1) — Penalty: Marcelo Barbosa opened the scoring from the spot. Xewkija were awarded a penalty for Luke Fenech’s foul on Brian Parada after the initial advantage failed to materialise. Barbosa converted despite the goalkeeper’s attempt to keep the ball out.
21′ Victoria threatened when Gabriel Cardona found Mustapha Amodu inside the penalty area, but the forward’s shot went wide.
28′ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis was alert to save Miguel De Sousa’s shot without much difficulty.
29′ (0–2) Brian Parada doubled Xewkija’s lead, gaining possession following hesitation in the Victoria defence. He advanced and beat the onrushing goalkeeper with a low finish.
38′ Xewkija threatened again through Matthias Said, but his shot went over the bar.
41′ Victoria had their best chance to reduce the deficit before the interval following an individual move by Miguel De Sousa, but his shot from outside the penalty area missed the target.
HT (0-2)
Second Half
The pattern continued after the break, with Victoria pressing to get back into the match and Xewkija remaining dangerous on the counter-attack. The Wanderers were unable to find a breakthrough, while the Tigers went close to adding a third.
1′ Victoria registered the first attempt of the second half after just 35 seconds, but Adrian Parnis saved Miguel De Sousa’s shot.
4′ — Penalty appeals: The Wanderers appealed for a penalty when Mustapha Amodu went down inside the penalty area while attempting to beat an opponent.
17′ Miguel De Sousa created another opening for Victoria, but his shot from outside the penalty area missed the target.
18′ — Goal disallowed: Victoria thought they had reduced the deficit when substitute Sam Harland scored from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
19′ — Post: Victoria narrowly avoided conceding an own goal following a free-kick. Felipe Palacios cleared the ball in front of goal before Camacho could reach it, but his clearance struck the post. The ball then fell to Matthias Said, whose well-struck effort went over the bar.
FT (SKVW 0 – XT 2)
Referee: Adam Bighton
Asst. Referees: Darko Stankovic, David Cilia
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