GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria W : 2 (A. Ige 38, D.U. Monday 68’)
L. Camilleri, I. Xuereb (C. Sciortino), A.G. Attard, G.D. Diaz Valdiviezo, D.U. Monday, J. Buhagiar (N. Vella), P. Dordevic, S. Harland, A.A. Ige, A. Adesina (A. Touarha), N. Abot.
Xewkija T : 4 (J.G. Vella 18’, C. Antunes 49’, 53’; G. Hili 80’)
F. Vella, J. Azzopardi (J. Cefai), M. Xerri (M. Gauci), G. Hili, J.M. Vella, M. Stojanovic, J.G. Vella (T. Vella), R. Buttigieg, C. Antunes, T.M. Dos Santos.
Reigning champions Xewkija Tigers obtained a deserved win form their first match of the championship against SK Victoria Wanderers. The Tigers, who had an impressive start in the new season, including a 4-0 win over the same Wanderers in a match from the first round of the MFA FA Trophy, are determined to remain main protagonists in Gozitan football. In their match against the Wanderers Xewkija produced more offensive play and created a number of good scoring opportunities. In some occasions Xewkija’s striker were very erratic in their finishing so that they lost an opportunity to obtain the victory with a comfortable margin and at an earlier stage of the encounter. The Wanderers on the other hand showed improvement from the defeat conceded against the same Xewkija the previous weekend but were still very weak at their defense so that their efforts to earn a positive result were compromised but defensive mistakes.
Xewkija came out more aggressive and could have opened the score in the fifth minute of play but Claudio Antunes concluded badly from an ideal position after receiving from Thiago Melo Dos Santos. Two minutes later Xewkija’s Rodney Buttigieg had a shot from an ideal position after a personal action that ended on the side of the net and on 9 minutes the Wanderers replied through a shot by Sam HGarland following a corner action that was blocked by goalie Franklin Vella. On 16 minutes Victoria went again close to scoring by Ajibade Adesina headed over the crossbar an inviting cross by Abdullahi Ige. Xewkija opened the score two minutes later through a free kick from an angled position by Joseph George Vella that surprised Victoria’s defense and the goalkeeper. Xewkija continued to hold control of play but the Wanderers were not demoralized and created some sporadic dangerous actions. On 31 minutes Xewkija’s keeper Franklin Vella was called to make a good save following a shot by Ajibade Adesina and minutes later Xewkija’s Martin Hrubsa had a strike from long distance that ended just over the crossbar. The Wanderers leveled the score on 38 minutes when Xewkija’s keeper partially saved a shot by Ajibade Adesina and form the rebound Abdullahi Ige placed in goal with a low shot. Xewkija regained full command of play during the remaining minutes of the first half and went very close to take the lead on more than one occasion. On 41 minutes a low drive toward the far post by Joseph George Vella following a personal action ended inches wide and less than a minute later Milos Stojanovic ahd a shot following a prolonged action inside Victoria’s area that missed the target. On 43 minutes the Wanderers operated a counter break but Nicolas Abot’s shot ended awy from Xewkija’s goal.
The Tigers continued to put pressure on Victoria’s defense form the early stages of the second period. On 47 minutes Claudio Antunes had a curling shot form an ideal position that missed the target. One minute later Victoria replied through an effort by Abdullahi Ige following a well prepared free kick that was saved by goalie Franklin Vella. On 49 minutes Xewkija regained the lead through a fine shot by Claudio Antunes following a cross from the right flank by Rodney Buttigieg. The Wanderers were shocked and four minutes later Xewkija increased their lead through a low shot by Claudio Antunes following a personal action inside Victoria’s area. On 59 minutes Xewkija could have added another goal but Thiago Melo Dos Santos had his shot after receiving from Claudio Antunes, well saved by Victoria’s keeper Leonard Camilleri. The Wanderers re-opened the issue on 68 minutes when they reduced the deficit to just one goal through a header from close distance by David Udo Monday following a corner action. Victoria however were reduced to ten players on 76 minutes as Anthony George Attard was sent off for dissent. Two minutes later Victoria’s keeper Leonard Camilleri made another good save to turn to a corner a good header by Claudio Antunes but Xewkija made sure of the victory with the fourth goal on 85 minutes through a strike from outside the area by Gennaro Hili that was out of the reach of Victoria’s keeper.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
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