23 January 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 10) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC : 5
Xaghra United FC : 0
8’ (1-0) Mateus Fernandes De Souza Lima
16’ (2-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
18’ (3-0) Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
46’ (4-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
76’ (5-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins
Kercem A:
F. Vella, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma, R. Saliba, A.G. Castro Martins, G. Vella (A. Mizzi 46), A. Xuereb (N. Mercieca 63), E.V. Kezyk Coimbra S. Azzopardi, I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza (L. Atzori 65).
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare’), L. Farrugia (P.J. Mifsud 84), E. Xiberras (D. Saliba 69), I. Salis, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), M. Mamo, F.J. Xuereb, N. Sultana (H. Paulin 66), J.C. Marini (Claudir).
In the opening match of Match-Day 10 of the First Division championship, Kercem Ajax registered a comprehensive 5–0 victory over bottom-placed Xaghra United, consolidating their position at the top of the standings.
This was Kercem’s third consecutive win in the second round of the championship, confirming that they have fully recovered from the defeat suffered in their final match of the first round. The result highlights their excellent form as they continue to push strongly for the league title. On the other hand, Xaghra once again found it difficult to pick up points as they attempt to move away from the bottom of the table. Despite handing a debut to Pedrinho, who had started the season with Nadur Youngsters, Xaghra never looked capable of producing a positive result against the league leaders, although they did create a few chances late in the first half that could have reduced the deficit.
Kercem, who also handed a debut to midfielder Eduardo Coimbra, made a flying start and dominated the opening twenty minutes, scoring three goals and effectively settling the match early. This allowed them to manage the remainder of the game comfortably, without taking unnecessary risks or becoming involved in reckless challenges that could have had negative consequences.
Timeline
First Half:
Kercem immediately went on the offensive and maintained sustained pressure on the opposing defence in the early stages, opening up a commanding three-goal lead. Xagħra improved towards the end of the first half but failed to capitalise on their chances, allowing Kercem to retain their advantage going into the break.
8’ (1–0) Kercem took the lead when Mateus Lima met a corner by Eduardo Coimbra and fired into the net.
14’ Another Kercem attack saw a shot by Samuel Azzopardi go wide.
16’ (2–0) Kercem doubled their lead as Jason Theuma crossed from the left and Andre Martins controlled the ball before finishing low past the goalkeeper.
18’ (3–0) With Xaghra visibly demoralised, Kercem struck again when Andre Martins played a perfectly weighted through ball for Isaias Cruz, who beat both the goalkeeper and the central defender to score into an empty net.
26’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit rushed out of his area to block an effort by Andre Martins.
38’ Xaghra replied with a shot by Ibrahim Salis that went wide.
42’ Xaghra came close when a free kick by Pedrinho was blocked by the wall, and the same player followed up but was denied twice by goalkeeper Franklin Vella.
44’ Xaghra appealed for a penalty when Lucas Farrugia went down in the area under pressure from two defenders.
45’ Xaghra had another chance to reduce the deficit after a poor clearance from a Pedrinho free kick, but Franklin Vella made two important saves to keep Kercem’s clean sheet intact.
HT (3-0)
Second Half:
Kercem came out aggressively after the interval and continued to dominate, scoring twice more and creating several additional scoring opportunities.
1’ (4–0) Kercem added a fourth goal when substitute Andrew Mizzi crossed low from the right and Andre Martins finished with a close-range header.
24’ Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit produced two fine saves to deny efforts from substitute Nathaniel Mercieca and Andrew Mizzi, with the defence eventually clearing the danger.
26’ Kercem threatened again when Andrew Mizzi released Andre Martins through on goal, but the move was halted for offside.
28’ (Post) Xaghra nearly scored a consolation goal when a short clearance from a corner led to a close-range effort by Junior Claudir that struck the post.
29’ Pedrinho tried his luck for Xaghra, but his shot went wide.
30’ Kercem went close to scoring again when substitute Lorenzo Atzori crossed low to the far post, but Andre Martins’ close-range effort went wide.
31’ (5–0) Kercem sealed the victory with their fifth goal as Lorenzo Atzori played a through ball behind the defence for Andre Martins, who rounded off the move with a simple finish to complete his personal hat-trick.
FT (KA 5 – XU 0)
Referee: Raiden Psaila
Asst. Referees: Adam Brighton, Stefania Bonnici
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