6 December 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 5) Kercem Stadium
Zebbug Rovers FC : 5
Munxar Falcons FC : 1
27’ (1-0) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa
33’ (1-1) Geordie Debono
52’ (2-1) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa
55’ (penalty missed – post) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa (ZR)
55’ (3-1) Bernard Camilleri
69’ (4-1) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa
74’ (5-1) Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa
Zebbug R:
A. Brignoli, B. Camilleri (O. Mercieca 79), A. Abela, H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, H. Paulin (D. Zahra 85), N.J. Cini, J. Sacco (C. Zammit 85), L. Portelli, N. Cassar, I. Belhadj (N.J. Camilleri 85), J. Buttigieg (O. Saliba 79).
Munxar F:
A. Debono, E. Bugeja (K. Vella 61), D. Bajada (P. Vella 61), O. Grech (L. Meilak 61), A. Carvalho, G. Debono (K. Curmi 80), J. Cutajar, J. Attard, J. Grech (G. Cauchi 80), O. Curmi, K. Mizzi.
In the final match of the First Round of the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, Zebbug Rovers claimed a 5–1 victory over Munxar Falcons, recovering after a disappointing start to the campaign and positioning themselves to challenge the teams ahead of them in the standings. For Munxar, this result means they end the first round at the bottom of the table, still without a win.
Both teams were in need of the three points to avoid compromising their league positioning after one third of the campaign. However, Zebbug secured a fully deserved victory as they dominated the entire 90 minutes. Although they were erratic in the first half and allowed their opponents to stay in the match until the break, Zebbug raised their level significantly in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to put the result beyond doubt well before the hour mark. The star of the match was Haraan Goncalves Barbosa, who scored four goals.
Timeline
First Half:
Zebbug took control from the opening minutes and maintained sustained pressure on the Munxar defence throughout most of the first half. However, they failed to secure a comfortable advantage, allowing Munxar to remain in contention, and the teams went into halftime level at 1–1.
24’ The first serious chance came from Zebbug through a good effort by Harry Paulin, turned into a corner by goalkeeper Aiden Debono.
26’ Zebbug missed a good opportunity when Anthony Abela’s header from a Paulin corner went wide.
27’ (1–0) Zebbug opened the scoring when a clearance by the Munxar goalkeeper was blocked by Haraan Goncalves Barbosa, and the ball finished in the net.
33’ (1–1) Munxar stunned their opponents by equalising, as Geordi Debono intercepted a back pass and scored from an ideal position.
34’ Zebbug went close again when Joseph Buttigieg’s shot was blocked, and Barbosa’s rebound was saved by Aiden Debono.
36’ Another Zebbug opportunity saw Jake Sacco send in a cross, but Harry Paulin incredibly fired over from a promising position.
42’ Zebbug nearly regained the lead, but Barbosa failed to connect properly with Nathan John Cini’s cross.
45’ Zebbug wasted another chance when Bernard Camilleri headed wide from a Barbosa cross despite being well positioned.
Second Half:
Zebbug emerged far more aggressive after the break, increasing the pressure and scoring four unanswered goals to secure the points, allowing them to comfortably manage the final stages of the game.
7’ (2–1) Zebbug regained the lead with another goal from Haraan Goncalves Barbosa, who beat the goalkeeper after a personal run.
10’ (penalty missed – post) Zebbug were awarded a penalty for a foul on Barbosa, but his spot kick struck the post.
10’ (3–1) From the same phase of play, Bernard Camilleri anticipated the defence and scored from the rebound to extend the lead.
24’ (4–1) Zebbug extended their dominance with another goal – Haraan Goncalves Barbosa heading home from a Harry Paulin cross to complete his hat-trick.
34’ (5–1) Zebbug sealed the victory with Haraan Goncalves Barbosa’s fourth goal of the match, finishing from a good position.
FT (ZR 5 – MF 1)
Referee: Igor Kankaras
Asst. Referees: Ranald Portelli, Denis Kadri
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