18 January 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 9) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 0
Kercem Ajax FC: 2
77’ (0-1) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
90+3’ (0-2) Lorenzo Atzori
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, I. Xuereb, D. Bugeja, J. Buttigieg (G. Hili 66), M.J. Barbosa, M. Said (J.M. Vella 66), S. Cassar, A.M. Bustos, K. Mercieca (J. Farrugia 79), B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos (Brenner).
Kercem A:
F. Vella, N. Mercieca (A. Mizzi 60), M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma, R. Saliba, A.G. Castro Martins, G. Vella (L. Atzori 76), S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, R. Cicolin Bosquerio.
Kercem Ajax secured three vital points with a 2–0 victory in the direct clash against title challengers Xewkija Tigers, a result which lifted them to sole leaders at the top of the standings. The match confirmed the quality of both sides, as Kercem and Xewkija showed they possess the potential to challenge for honours, producing a high level of football despite a physical encounter in which the balance of play swung from end to end for long stretches.
Both teams enjoyed spells of territorial dominance, keeping the outcome in doubt for much of the match. Kercem eventually claimed victory by capitalising on two defensive mistakes by their opponents, while remaining solid at the back and allowing Xewkija very few clear-cut chances to create serious danger.
Xewkija came into the match on the back of an important win the previous week and started on the front foot. However, over the course of the 90 minutes, they were erratic in front of the goal and failed to make the most of their best scoring opportunities. Kercem, on the other hand, adopted a cautious approach in the early stages, having to cope without first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri, who was injured during the week, and without suspended midfielder Nenem. Despite these absences, Kercem fielded three debutants: Gabriel Vella, who began the season with Tarxien Rainbows before joining from Hamrun Spartans; Andre Martins, who started the campaign with Qala Saints and had already scored four goals in the league; and Italian defender Romulo Bosquerio, making his debut in Gozitan football. The key figure for Kercem was substitute Lorenzo Atzori, who was involved in the build-up to the opening goal before scoring the second to seal the result.
Timeline
First Half:
Xewkija looked more adventurous during the opening period and enjoyed the better scoring chances, but their attackers were wasteful and missed the opportunity to take the lead. Kercem remained disciplined defensively and occasionally tried to push forward, although they rarely tested the opposing goalkeeper.
17’ (Post) Xewkija came very close to opening the scoring when a poor clearance by the Kercem defence fell to Brenner, whose low shot struck the post before the danger was cleared.
27’ Xewkija threatened again when Barbosa slipped the ball into the area for Brian Parada, whose close-range back-heel attempt went wide.
35’ Kercem goalkeeper Franklin Vella made two crucial saves, first blocking a long-range shot by Angel Bustos and then saving Brian Parada’s close-range effort from the rebound, conceding a corner.
42’ Kercem registered their first direct attempt on goal with a long-range effort by Samuel Azzopardi, but the ball went wide.
HT (0–0)
Second Half:
Kercem emerged with greater determination after the break and began to put more pressure on the opposing defence, turning the match into a more open contest with increased action at both ends.
2’ Xewkija had an early chance when Marcelo Barbosa fed Matthias Said into the area, but his shot was straight at goalkeeper Franklin Vella.
4’ Kercem responded with a header by Isais Cruz following a scramble in the Xewkija box, but the effort was saved by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.
5’ Kercem threatened again, with a first-time shot by Jason Theuma, after a lay-off from Andre Martins, being deflected for a corner.
15’ Kercem went close through a free-kick by Nathaniel Mercieca, but the ball went wide.
21’ Xewkija replied with a Marcelo Barbosa free-kick that curled past the wall but drifted wide.
30’ Xewkija were inches away from taking the lead when, from a cross by Marcelo Barbosa, Brian Parada’s header went just wide.
32’ (0–1) Kercem broke the deadlock when Mateus Lima played a ball over the top from midfield. Substitute Lorenzo Atzori controlled the ball, and Andre Martins took advantage of a poor clearance to finish easily with a low shot.
39’ Xewkija missed another good opportunity when Brian Parada broke into the area and rounded the goalkeeper, but hesitated and allowed the defence to recover and clear the danger.
45’ Xewkija had their final chance to equalise, but Brenner’s effort was blocked by the defence, and the goalkeeper reacted well to save two successive attempts.
45+3’ (0–2) Kercem sealed the victory when Andre Martins won possession from the defence just outside the area and played in Lorenzo Atzori, who anticipated the goalkeeper’s advance and finished calmly with a low shot.
FT (XT 0 – KA 2)
Referee: Vladimir Rizoski
Asst. Referees: Duncan Spencer, Wayne Spiteri
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