18 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 8) Kercem
Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC : 3
Gharb Rangers FC : 3
5’ (0-1) o.g. Pierre Paul Camilleri
44’ (0-2) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
45+2’ (1-2) Christian Debono
56’ (2-2) Harry Paulin
66’ (2-3) Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
73’ (3-3) Andrew Chukwuwinke Ofulue
(after final whistle) (red card) Anthony Abela (ZR)
Zebbug R:
F. Portelli, M. Ciangura, O. Cremona, C. Debono, A. Abela, H. Paulin, P. Spiteri, J.
Buttigieg, P.P. Camilleri, N.J. Cini, A. Ofulue Chukwuwinke.
Gharb R:
A. Micallef, A. Sultana, D. Galea, T. Axiak, S. Gauci (E. Vella 79), B.O. Igbinobaro, F.
Xuereb (C. Zammit 55), M. Xuereb, M. Vella, N.J. Camilleri (J.P. Portelli 57).
Zebbug Rovers and Gharb Rangers shared the spoils in a draw of six goals so that
Zebbug missed an opportunity to join three other teams challenging for
second place, while Gharb remains at the bottom of the table without a win from eight
matches. The outcome of this encounter was the same as that of the match between
the two sides of the first round which ended in a 2-2 draw.
In this match,h Gharb seemed in better shape during the first half and managed to open
a two-goal lead. However, Zebbug pulled one goal back just before the break and after
the restart Zebbug maintained their momentum and levelled the score. Gharb
regained the lead with a goal scored midway through the second period but Zebbug
had a good reaction and scored another equaliser. As a result, the final stages became
much more exciting where the win could have gone either way.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Gharb came out more aggressive and scored an early goal. However, Zebbug were
not demoralised and struggled to produce a reaction. Gharb doubled their lead near
the end of the first half but conceded an immediate reply by Zebbug so that the
outcome remained in contention.
5’ (0-1) Gharb opened the score through an own goal, committed by Zebbug’s Pierre
Paul Camilleri calculated badly a back pass intended towards his goalkeeper.
17’ Gharb continued to be more dangerous and went close to scoring when Baldwin
Osayi Igbinobaro entered Zebbug’s territory but his final attempt was blocked to a
corner by goalie Francesco Portelli.
44’ (0-2) Gharb doubled their lead when Michael Xuereb crossed towards Baldwin
Osayi Igbinobaro who netted with a low shot.
45’ The Rangers could have increased their lead but a close-range shot by Osayi
Ibginobaro was blocked by Zebbug’s goalie Francesco Portelli.
45+1’ Zebbug had an immediate reply but a good effort by Andrew Ofulue Chukwinke
was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Andre Micallef.
45+2’ (1-2) The Rovers reduced the deficit from the resultant corner action as the ball
arrived to Christian Debono who surprised the defence with a low shot.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
Zebbug came out for the second period determined to recover the score while Gharb
continued to be quite dangerous with their breaks. As a result, the match became much
more entertaining with various scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field.
5’ Zebbug’s Marco Ciangura had a good shot from outside the area but the ball missed
the target.
8’ The same Ciangura had another attempt but once again the ball ended away from
Gharb goal.
11’ (2-2) Zebbug levelled the score when Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwinke passed outside
the area to Harry Paulin who concluded in goal with a low shot from the edge of the
area.
20’ Gharb went very close to score their third goal when Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro
entered Zebbug’s territory, turned around the goalkeeper but defender Anthony Abela
recovered in time and cleared the ball from the goalmouth to avoid a certain goal.
21’ (2-3) Gharb however regained the lead in the following action when a shot by
substitute Cleavon Zammit was partially saved by Zebbug’s goalie and from the
rebound Baldwin Osayi Igbinobaro placed easily into an open goal.
28’ (3-3) Zebbug had a good reaction and scored the equaliser through Andrew Ofulue
Chukwuwinke concluded a personal action with a low shot with the ball hitting the
post before ending in the net.
30’ Zebbug’s goalie Francesco Portelli was well placed and neutralised and effort by
Osayi Igbinobaro following a free kick by Michael Xuereb.
33’ The Rovers replied with a strike by Harry Paulin but the ball ended high.
34’ Gharb’s goalie Andre Micallef denied Zebbug from taking the lead when he saved
with some difficulty to a corner another shot by Harry Paulin.
39’ Zebbug kept insisting and were again dangerous through an effort by Christian
Debono but the ball ended over the crossbar.
45+1’ Zebbug missed an open scoring opportunity when Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwinke
entered Gharb’s area but his shot was partially blocked by goalie Andre Micallef, and
from the rebound, Nathan John Cini concluded wide with an unattended goal at his
mercy.
45+4’ Zebbug also had the last scoring opportunity of the encounter when Andrew
Ofulue Chukwuwinke once again passed through Gharb’s defence but his shot from the
good position ended wide.
(after the final whistle) (red card) As the two teams were heading towards the dressing
rooms after the final whistle. Zebbug’s Anthony Abela was shown a red card for passing
comments towards the match officials.
FT (ZR 3 – GR 3)
Referee: Stefan Minic
Asst. Referees: Rapjan Xhyra, Sanu Joy
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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