14 September 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 1) Gozo Stadium
SK Victoria Wanderers FC: 1
Kercem Ajax FC: 1
57’ (0-1) Mario Henrique Fernandes Cardoso
74’ (1-1) Jose Wilkson Teixeira Rocha
SK Victoria W:
S. Camilleri, A.L. Cutler, N. Camilleri, M. Cordina, E. Zammit, C.S. Souza Da Silva, J. Wilson Texeira Rocha, A. Touarha (S. Harland 26), J. Bugeja, D.G. Gouveia Garcia, L. Fenech.
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, R. Saliba (A. Xuereb 46), M. Henrique Fernandes Cardoso, J.M. Dos Santos Leite, A. Mizzi (J. Theuma 46), G. Farrugia (A, Debrincat 72), A. Azzopardi (D. Cassar 84), S. Azzopardi. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza.
In the third match of the opening day of the 2025/2026 BOV Gozo Football League First Division, SK Victoria Wanderers and newly promoted Kercem Ajax each earned a point in a 2-2 draw. With this result, both sides began the league on a positive note, even though each pushed hard for all three points.
The encounter unfolded into a balanced and hard-fought contest, with both teams showing strong tactical discipline. Victory could have gone either way, but in the end, the spoils were shared. The draw is encouraging for both sides: Kercem are targeting a challenge for the championship, while SK Victoria Wanderers aim to be more competitive than in past seasons and secure a place in the upper half of the table. For long stretches, both defences contained their opponents’ strikers well, so despite the overall good level of play, clear chances were relatively few. The result was decided in the second half, with goals arriving at both ends, before the two teams settled for a point apiece in the final stages of the match.
Timeline
First Half
The opening half was a tight affair as both teams looked to build offensive play without exposing their backlines. Much of the action was concentrated in midfield, though both sides still carved out opportunities to take the lead.
17’ SK Victoria Wanderers threatened inside the box when Jean Bugeja played in Caique Souza, but his angled shot was blocked well by goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri.
23’ The Wanderers were dangerous again through Souza Da Silva, whose effort was saved in two attempts by Spiteri.
29’ (crossbar) Kercem went close when Gabriel Farrugia’s central strike came off the crossbar before the goalkeeper recovered to clear.
38’ Kercem keeper Spiteri pulled off a difficult save to divert a free kick from Caique Souza for a corner.
45+5’ Kercem had another chance, but Farrugia’s long-range shot sailed over.
HT (0-0)
Second Half
Kercem came out after the break more aggressively and seized control of the game, taking the lead. However, SK Victoria Wanderers fought back to level, and the final stages of the match became more open and exciting, with both sides pushing for a late winner.
57’ (0-1) Kerċem broke the deadlock from a corner when Dejan Bogdanovic’s header across goal was met by Mario Henrique, who nodded in at the far post.
62’ Kerċem remained dangerous, with a Fernandes Da Souza header from a free kick going narrowly wide.
69’ SK Victoria Wanderers had a golden chance to equalise when Diego Garcia broke clear on a counter-attack and set up Caique Souza, but the striker’s effort rolled wide of the post.
74’ (1-1) The Wanderers restored parity when Diego Garcia delivered a free kick into the box and Jose Wilkson’s header crossed the line despite the defence’s attempt to clear it.
82’ Kercem keeper Spiteri was called into action again, this time tipping over a strong strike from Garcia.
FT (SKVW 1 – KA 1)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Duncan Spencer, Wayne Spiteri
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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