Gharb Retain Their Challenge for Promotion

GFA BOV GFL Division II                                                                Sannat Ground

Gharb R         :           2          (D. Bellotti 45’, A. Ofulue 56’)

1. Spiteri, P.A. Attard, C. Gafa’, J. Azzopardi, M. Vella, Cr. Attard, J. Muscat (F. Attard), R. Grech (J. Portelli), D. Bellotti, O. Farrugia, A. Ofulue.

Sannat L        :           1          (S. Baala 20’)

1. Brignoli, J. Buttigieg (J. Zammit), A. Debono, D.U. Monday, J. Agius, N. Micallef, A. Adesina, M. Muscat, A. Camilleri, S. Baala, D. Borg (D. Curmi).

Contenders for promotion Gharb Rangers came from behind and turned a defeat into a victory in their first match from the fourth and final round of the campaign against Sannat Lions.  Gharb seemed more motivated for the victory but they had to struggle to win the full points at stake as Sannat tried hard to obtain a positive result in an attempt to recover from their disappointing performances in the previous matches.  Gharb’s win matured with a goal scored in each half and managed to defend their lead until the end of the encounter.

Gharb could have scored an early goal when Oliver Farrugia entered the area in the sixth minute but Dylan Bellotti failed to connect to the inviting low cross.  Gharb continued to hold more possession but they failed to produce good scoring opportunities.  Sannat surprised their opponents on 20 minutes when goalie Daniel Spiteri did not a cross from the right flank and Sunday Baala took the ball and placed easily into an open goal.  Gharb seemed shocked and three minutes later Gharb’s goalie was called to make a good save to block a good shot by Sannat’s Sunday Baala.  As time passed by Gharb regained composure and increased their efforts to recover the deficit.  The Rangers managed to level the score on 45 minutes through a strike from an angled position by Dylan Bellotti that surprised Sannat’s goalie Angelo Brignoli at the first post.

Play continued to be quite interesting but with few scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field.  On 55 minutes Gharb’s Andrew Ofulue had a shot form a good position that missed the target but one minute later the same Andrew Ofulue made up for his previous mistake and scored the goal that decided the issue when he netted with an excellent curling shot from outside the area.  Gharb gained confidence as they seemed released of the pressure and controlled Sannat’s reaction.  Sannat however were dangerous on 59 minutes when Sunday Baala came face to face with Gharb’s goalie Daniel Spiteri but the latter saved the danger to a corner.  Gharb’s best opportunity to make sure of the victory arrived on 66 minutes but Andrew Ofulue’s header from a free kick by Ryan Grech ended just high.  During the final stages of the encounter play became more exciting as Sannat were still in contention to save the result.  Sannat could have scored the equalizer on 88 minutes when Antoine Camilleri entered Gharb’s territory and came face to face with Gharb’s goalkeeper but the striker had his low shot well saved by the keeper.

Referee: Shaun Calleja