GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium
Zebbug R : 2 (G.B. Mfulwane 4’pen., 71’pen.)
B. Saliba, G. Portelli, M. Formosa, F. Cini (C. Borg), J. Debrincat (L. Farrugia), O. Calleja, A. Buttigieg, M. Ciangura, R. Grech, G.B. Mfulwane, P. Camilleri.
Xaghra U : 1 (M.D. Glodi 49’)
F. Azzopardi, S. Sultana, M. Galea, D. Bajada (P.J. Mifsud), J. Xerri, S. Galea, A. Xiberras, L. Attard, J. Bajada, M.D. Glodi, O. Pogukay (E. Xiberras).
Zebbug Rovers obtained a close win over Xaghra United with the odd goal from three and with the points obtained they moved to the runners-up position on the table. The match between Zebbug and Xaghra turned out into a well contested encounter where the two sides were aiming to the victory and the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle. Zebbug produced more scoring opportunities than their opponents throughout the match but very often they were erratic in their finishing so that Xaghra managed to remain in contention for a positive result until the end. With this result, at the end of Match-Day 5 of the lower category, four teams are separated on the table by just two points.
The Rovers had an excellent start and opened the score in the fourth minute of play from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Steve Sultana on Josef Debrincat, and Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane converted from the spot kick. Zebbug continued to enjoy territorial supremacy and two minutes later the same Mfulwane could have doubled the score when he entered Xaghra’s area but his lob addressed towards an open goal ended just wide. As time passed by Xaghra started to share play and on 24 minutes they were also dangerous through a shot by Luke Attard following a personal action that ended just wide. On 34 minutes Zebbug went very close to double the score but Gibson Mfulwane’s first timer following a cross by Josef Debrincat was cleared to a corner from the fatal line by defender Manuel Galea. Xaghra could have levelled the score on the stroke of half time but Johann Bajada concluded weak when he was in an ideal position so that goalie Baskal Saliba saved the danger without difficulty.
Play continued to be balanced after the break and on 49 minutes Xaghra scored the equaliser when Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba failed to hold a cross from the right flank and the ball arrived to an unmarked Maviluka Daniel Glodi who placed in goal with a low drive. The same goalkeeper was called to make an important intervention on 58 minutes to deny Xaghra from taking the lead when he managed to clear away a low shot by Oleg Pogukay from a good position. Zebbug replied on 70 minutes when strikers Gibson Mfulwane and substitute Chris Borg both failed to conclude in goal from close distance a corner kick by Aaron Buttigieg and the ball ended wide. The Rovers however regained the lead one minute later when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Johann Bajada on Josef Debrincat and Gibson Botshelo Mfulwane fired in goal with his shot from the spot kick. During the final stages Xaghra tried hard to level the score but the closest that they went to scoring was on 74 minutes but a shot by Johann Bajada was partially saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and Zebbug’s defence cleared the ball from the area with some difficulty.
Referee: Massimo Axisa
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