8 February 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 10) Kercem Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC : 1
Kercem Ajax FC : 6
11’ (0-1) Andrew Mizzi
35’ (1-1) Harry Paulin
44’ (1-2) Cesar Velez Da Silva
62’ (1-3) Andrew Mizzi
78’ (1-4) Cesar Velez Da Silva
80’ (1-5) Andrea Debrincat
84’ (1-6) penalty Lorenzo Atzori
Zebbug R:
G. Saliba, M. Ciangura, C. Debono, G. Dos Santos Lemos, O. Cremona, C. Debono (B. Camilleri 81), H. Paulin, P. Spiteri, P.P. Camilleri, N.J. Cini, L. Portelli, O. Saliba.
Kercem A:
F. Vella, D. Cassar, A. Azzopardi, J. Theuma (T. Markovic 69), R. Saliba, C. Vella (L. Atzori 46), A. Mizzi (K. Sciberras 69), A. Xuereb (A. Debrincat 46), L. Sultana (C. Cutajar 46), S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva.
In the last match from the second round of the lower category in Gozitan Football, Kercem Ajax maintained their perfect run with a 6-1 win over Zebbug Rovers. With the points obtained Kercem need just one point from their last five matches of the third round to become mathematically champions of the second division and win promotion for the next season.
Kercem as expected dictated matters for long stretches, but ended the match on a disappointing note as their run of matches without conceding a goal ended up in the first half of this encounter. They seemed heading towards another comfortable win with a blank sheet as they scored an early goal but for most of the first half they seemed overconfident and ended up conceding the first goal in the campaign as Zebbug levelled the score. Kercem however regained composure and ended the first half in the lead so that they made sure of the win by scoring more goals after the break.
Timeline:
Kercem took command of play from the opening stages and produced pressure on Zebbug’s defence but they were often erratic in their finishing and only managed to score on one occasion. As time passed by Zebbug threatened Kercem’s defence and surprised their more quoted opponents when they levelled the score. The Rovers however compromised the result when they committed a mistake seconds from halftime that allowed Kercem to regain the lead.
11’ (0-1) Kercem opened the score when Cesar Velez Da Silva released Andrew Mizzi who entered the area and netted with a low shot.
16’ Kercem were again dangerous when Antonio Xuereb delivered an inviting cross from the right flank but Andrew Mizzi’s attempt from close distance ended just wide.
20’ Zebbug replied through a cross-shot by Paul Spiteri that was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.
24’ Kercem’s Samuel Azzopardi went very close to double the lead but his low shot from an unmarked position was cleared from the goalmouth by the defence.
35’ (1-1) Zebbug surprised their opponents and scored the equaliser when Kercem’s defence cleared badly from their area and Harry Paulin fired in the net from just outside the area.
41’ Kercem went very close to scoring a second goal but an effort by Cesar Velez Da Silva ended just wide.
44’ (1-2) Kercem took the lead for the second time when Zebbug’s defence passed badly at the edge of their area and Kercem’s Cesar Velez Da Silva took the band placed in the net with a low drive.
HT (1-2)
Second Half
The Ajax came out more determined after the break and converted their superiority by scoring four more goals so that they practically made sure of the three points just after the hour mark.
17’ (1-3) Kercem increased their lead when Andre Azzopardi delivered a cross from the left flank and Andrew Mizzi headed in goal from an ideal position.
19’ Zebbug’s goalie Gabriel Saliba was well placed and blocked with difficulty a close-ranged shot by Cesar Velez Da Silva.
23’ The same Velez Da Silva went again close to scoring another goal for his side but his effort was again saved to a corner by Zebbug’s goalie Gabriel Saliba.
33’ (1-4) Kercem scored their fourth goal when Andre Azzopardi delivered the ball inside Kercem’s area from a free kick and Cesar Velez Da Silva concluded in goal with a fine header.
35’ (1-5) Zebbug were demoralised and conceded another goal through an initiative by two of the substitutes as Carlos Cutajar delivered a cross from the right flank and Andrea Debrincat headed in a goal from close distance.
39’ (1-6) penalty Kercem were awarded a penalty for a foul by Zebbug’s Oliver Cremona on Andres Debrincat and substitute Lorenzo Atzori sealed the win by scoring his shot from the penalty spot.
FT (ZR 1 – KA 6)
Referee: Luca Formosa
Asst. Referees: Adam Brighton, Denis Kadir
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