29 March 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 2nd Division (MD 14) Kercem Stadium
Munxar Falcons FC : 5
Gharb Rangers FC : 6
14’ (1-0) Ayesller Carvalho
25’ (1-1) Luke Sultana
29’ (1-2) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
30’ (2-2) Joey Grech
32’ (2-3) Joseph George Vella
40’ (2-4) Damon Hili
45+1’ (2-5) Aud-Gustine James Obaje
52’ (3-5) Ayesller Carvalho
58’ (4-5) Kenneth Mizzi
60’ (5-5) Ayesller Carvalho
67’ (5-6) Eman Bugeja
Munxar F:
A. Debono, P. Parnis (J. Attard 79), D. Bajada (G. Debono 61), O. Grech, A. Carvalho, L. Meilak (K. Vella 70), J. Cutajar, E. Galea, J. Grech, O. Curmi, K. Mizzi.
Gharb R:
E. Bajada, A. Sultana (J. Xerri 59), S. Sillato, O. Cremona (K. Hili 46), S. Gauci (D. Depasquale 46), A.J. Obaje, D. Hili, L. Sultana, D. Farrugia, E. Bugeja, J.G. Vella (S. Curmi 62).
In the final match of the penultimate Match-Day of the Second Division championship, Gharb Rangers and Munxar Falcons were involved in a spectacular encounter that produced no fewer than eleven goals, with Gharb eventually emerging victorious by a 6–5 scoreline. With this result, Gharb moved back up to third place in the standings, while Munxar missed the opportunity to draw level with Oratory Youths and move off the bottom of the table.
Both teams entered the match without any particular pressure, as neither Gharb nor Munxar had managed to meet the ambitions they had set at the start of the season. For much of the first half the match was closely contested, and during the opening half hour both sides scored twice. Gharb then took control in the latter stages of the first half, opening up a three-goal lead.
However, Gharb were unable to manage their advantage effectively, allowing Munxar back into the game and keeping the final outcome in doubt until the referee’s final whistle. The match was ultimately decided by a goal scored midway through the second half by Gharb, while Munxar were extremely unlucky not to salvage a result when, in the final action of the match, their effort struck the post.
Timeline
First Half:
Munxar made the brighter start and managed to score early, but Gharb responded well and equalised, making the game more open and entertaining. In the closing stages of the first half, Gharb took control and scored three unanswered goals to go into the break with a comfortable lead.
2’ Gharb created the first scoring opportunity when Luke Sultana delivered a low cross into the box, but Damon Hili saw two consecutive attempts blocked by the goalkeeper and the defence.
14’ (1-0) Munxar opened the scoring with a powerful shot from outside the box by Ayesller Carvalho, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
20’ Gharb responded through a shot by Joseph Mario Vella, which was deflected for a corner by the defence.
25’ (1–1) Gharb equalised when Steve Gauci released Luke Sultana, who surprised the goalkeeper with a half-volley.
29’ (1–2) Gharb took the lead when Joseph George Vella played the ball into the box for Aud-Gustine James Obaje, who anticipated the goalkeeper’s advance and finished with a low shot.
30’ (2–2) Munxar drew level again as Oliver Curmi played a central pass to Joey Grech, who went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished confidently.
32’ (2–3) Gharb regained the lead through a direct free kick by Joseph George Vella, which found the corner of the net.
35’ Munxar goalkeeper Aiden Debono produced a good save to deny a close-range effort from Aud-Gustine James Obaje.
36’ (Goal disallowed) Gharb thought they had scored again when Oliver Cremona headed into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
38’ Gharb threatened once more, but Damon Hili’s shot went over the bar.
40’ (2–4) Gharb extended their lead when a cross from the right by Joseph George Vella was met at the far post by Damon Hili, who finished first time.
45+1’ (2–5) Gharb added a fifth goal when Aud-Gustine James Obaje finished after being set up by Damon Hili.
HT (2-5)
Second Half:
After the break, Munxar caught their opponents off guard, taking advantage of Gharb’s overconfidence to reduce the deficit. Gharb eventually recovered, regained the lead and, despite sustained pressure, managed to defend Munxar’s reaction and secure all three points.
7’ (3–5) Munxar reduced the deficit through a well-placed shot by Ayesller Carvalho.
11’ Gharb goalkeeper Etienne Bajada denied Munxar with a fine save from close range against Joey Grech, pushing the ball out for a corner.
13’ (4–5) Munxar pulled another goal back when Ayesller Carvalho set up Kenneth Mizzi, whose angled shot took a deflection and ended up in the net.
15’ (5–5) Munxar completed the comeback as Ayesller Carvalho scored again with a close-range finish.
18’ Munxar remained dangerous, but another effort by Ayesller Carvalho was saved by Etienne Bajada.
21’ The same goalkeeper was again called into action to save a header from Carvalho following a corner.
22’ (5–6) Gharb regained the lead when Eman Bugeja struck a long-range effort that caught Munxar goalkeeper Aiden Debono by surprise.
44’ Munxar came close to equalising, but a central effort by Ayesller Carvalho was blocked by Etienne Bajada and cleared by the defence.
45+5’ (Post) Munxar were unfortunate not to rescue a point when Ayesller Carvalho’s effort at the far post struck the woodwork.
FT (MF 5 – GR 6)
Referee: Patrick Falzon
Asst. Referees: Zak Anastasi, Henrey Nana Kwasi Adjei
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