5 April 2023
GFA 2nd Division KO S/final 1 Gozo Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC : 5
Munxar Falcons FC : 1
15’ (0-1) Henry Fabian Solis
35’ (1-1) Gabriel Debrincat
38’ (2-1) Peter Muscat
62’ (3-1) Peter Muscat
65’ (4-1) Lorenzo Atzori
86’ (5-1) Daniel Mesa Pineros
Zebbug R:
B. Saliba, A. Abela, C. Gauci, G. Debrincat (M. Camilleri Psaila), R. Saliba, L. Atzori (J. Magro), D. Mesa Pineros, E. Gauci, C. Cauchi (M. Gauci), P. Muscat (P. Spiteri), M. Grech.
Munxar F:
D. Spiteri, C. Gafa, P. Parnis (G. Cauchi), A. Buttigieg (C. Vella), G. Attard (M. Farrugia), R. Meilak, S. Farrugia, H.F. Solis, M. Debrincat, G. Sillato, K. Mizzi.
Holders of the GFA 2nd Division Knock Out competition Zebbug Rovers will be defending the second most important honour of the category as they reached qualification to the final with a 5-1 win over Munxar Falcons.
The Rovers confirmed a good moment of form as they match to recover from an early shock and produced an immediate reaction so that they dominated their opponents for most of the encounter. Zebbug, who for a long period through the campaign was among the challengers for promotion, seemed determined to repeat the success in this competition obtained at the end of the last season. Zebbug’s win in this match could have been with a larger margin but on various occasions, the strikers were denied from scoring with important interventions by Munxar’s veteran goalkeeper Damian Spiteri.
Timeline:
The two sides were very adventurous during the first minutes of play but as time passed by Zebbug increased their momentum and managed to end the first half in the lead.
13’ Zebbug went close to open the score through a first-timer by Ryan Saliba from a corner kick by Lorenzo Atzori but the ball ended wide.
15’ (0-1) Munxar opened the score when Kenneth Mizzi released Henry Fabian Solis who entered the area, turned around the goalkeeper and netted with a low shot.
18’ The Rovers replied with an initiative by Lorenzo Atzori who entered Munxar’s area and avoided the intervention of the goalkeeper but the striker saw his low drive aimed towards the far post that ended wide.
28’ Munxar’s goalie Damian Spiteri was well placed and saved in two attempts a free kick by Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros.
29’ The same Zebbug’s Columbian striker once again threatened Munxar’s defence but his strike ended away from goal.
31’ (protests for penalty) Zebbug kept insisting and protested for a penalty alleging handling by Munxar’s defned4r Chris Gafa when the Falcons were trying to clear the danger from the goalmouth.
35’ (1-1) The Rovers were rewarded for their efforts and levelled the score as Daniel Mesa Pineros released Gabriel Debrincat from the midfield
38’ Zebbug’s Daniel Mesa Pineros had an attempt from a free kick that got a deflection by the wall and the ball ended not far away from the goal.
38’ (2-1) From the resultant corner kick taken by Lorenzo Atzori, Munxar’s defence cleared outside the area but Zebbug’s Peter Muscat was quick and fired a shot on the run with the ball hitting the crossbar and the goalkeeper before ending in the net.
43’ The same Peter Muscat went close to score another goal from the same position but on this occasion, his shot was blocked to a corner
HT (2-1)
Second Half
Zebbug came out in better shape for the second period but they failed to capitalise on some good chances to score more goals so their opponents remained in contention until the hour mark. Zebbug practically put their minds at rest from the qualification to the final by scoring two goals in the space of three minutes to increase the lead beyond reach.
2’ Munxar’s defender Chris Gafa denied Zebbug from increasing their lead when he cleared in time before Lorenzo Atzori could deposit the ball in the net from close distance.
2’ (post) Zebbug missed another golden scoring opportunity when Lorenzo Atzori crossed towards the goalmouth but Eric Gauci’s header with an open goal at his mercy was stopped by the post.
10’ Munxar could have created more danger when a cross from the right by Stefan Farrugia arrived to an unmarked Aron Buttigieg but the latter conclude wide from a good position.
15’ (post) Zebbug were again dangerous through a strike by Lorenzo Atzori that shaved the upper corner of Munar’s goal and ended wide.
17’ (3-1) Zebbug scored their third goal when a low drive by Lorenzo Atzori was partially saved by goalie Damian Spiteri and from the rebound, Peter Muscat pushed the ball easily into an open goal.
20’ (4-1) Munxar were demoralised and conceded another goal that arrived through Lorenzo Atzori who received the ball at an unmarked position when a clearance by the defence was blocked by Daniel Mesa Pineros and the striker placed easily in goal with a low shot.
31’ Zebbug’s substitute Manuel Gauci had an attempt from a free kick that missed the target.
35’ Munxar’s goalie Damian Spiteri saved with his feet an attempt directly from a free kick by Daniel Mesa Pineros.
38’ Munxar continued to suffer Zebbug’s play as the latter were dangerous through an effort from a good position by substitute Matthias Camilleri Psaila but the ball ended wide.
39’ The Rovers missed another scoring opportunity when an attempt by Lorenzo Atzori from a good position ended wide.
40’ Munxar’s keeper was again called to make a good save to turn to a corner another a strike from long distance by Daniel Mesa Pineros.
41’(5-1) From the same corner kick by Lorenzo, Zebbug sealed the win by scoring the fifth goal that arrived through a header by Daniel Mesa Pineros that surprised the defence.
FT (ZR 5 – MF 1)
Referee: Joseph Scerri
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