18 April 2026
GFA Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 21) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 5
Ghajnsielem FC : 2
14’ (1-0) Stefan Cassar
34’ (penalty missed – saved) Deison Arvey Cuero (GHJ)
46’ (red card) Adrian Parnis (XT)
50’ (1-1) penalty Ewertton Jose Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom)
54’ (2-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
59’ (3-1) Brian Alejandro Parada
68’ (3-2) Daniel Murillo Borrero
81’ (4-2) Angel Manuel Bustos
90+2’ (5-2) Brian Alejandro Parada
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, J. Vella, I. Xuereb, D. Bugeja, J. Buttigieg (D. Saliba 49), M. Bonnici (G. Xerri 88), S. Cassar (K. Hili 88), A.M. Bustos, B.A. Parada, E.E. Ruiz, C.D. Frances.
Ghajnsielem:
G. Parnis, P. Rapa (L. Tabone 85), W. Hili (J. Vella 62), E.J. Spirandelli Costa (Tom Tom), J. Buttigieg (J. Grech 85), H. Muscat, M.A. Scicluna (D. Grozdanov 68), J. Tabone Refalo, D. Murillo Borrero, J.A. Gonzalez Castillo (D. Attard 46), D.A. Cuero.
In the first match from the final day of the First Division championship, Xewkija Tigers secured a 5–2 victory over Ghajnsielem, thereby recovering from a series of disappointing results and earning three points to ensure they would finish the league in third place.
Through this result, Xewkija regained morale for their remaining commitments in the final part of the season, namely the semi-final of the MFA BOV Challenge Cup and the final of the BOV GFA Cup. In this match, Xewkija striker Brian Parada scored a hat-trick, allowing him to move back to the top of the league’s top scorers chart with 18 goals to win the prestigious individual honour.
Despite the final score, Ghajnsielem performed well for much of the match, appearing motivated to achieve a third victory against Xewkija in this championship, even though they had already secured the runners-up position. In this final match of the season for Ghajnsielem, they confirmed the good performances they showed throughout the league, where, surprisingly but deservedly, they finished in second place.
Before the match began, Ghajnsielem were presented with the trophy as runners-up of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division by the association’s General Secretary, Tony Grech.
Timeline
First Half:
Xewkija started aggressively and managed to score an early goal, but Ghajnsielem responded to stay in the match, despite missing a chance to equalize when they failed to convert a penalty.
7’ Xewkija threatened with a shot by Stefan Cassar that went over.
10’ Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis saved another attempt by Stefan Cassar.
14’ (1–0) Xewkija opened the scoring when Stefan Cassar finished from close range following a cross by Mattias Bonnici.
19’ Ghajnsielem responded with a cross from Deison Cuero, but Jhon Gonzalez miscued and Adrian Parnis saved twice.
25’ Ghajnsielem came close to equalizing when Jhon Gonzalez had a good chance, but defender Ian Xuereb blocked in time.
29’ Xewkija were dangerous again through Brian Parada, whose shot was saved by Gabriel Parnis.
33’ (Penalty saved) Ghajnsielem were awarded a penalty after a foul on Jhon Gonzalez, but Deison Cuero’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
38’ Another attempt by Jhon Gonzalez was saved by Adrian Parnis.
39’ Xewkija responded with a shot by Claudio Frances that went wide.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
The match became more open in the second half, with both teams pushing for a win. Over time, Xewkija took advantage of spaces in the opposing defense and, despite playing with ten men, managed to score four more goals.
1’ Just 20 seconds in, Gabriel Parnis made two consecutive saves from Brian Parada and Claudio Frances, before Daniel Murillo cleared the danger.
1’ (Red card) Ghajnsielem were awarded a penalty after a foul by the goalkeeper on Wayne Hili, and the same goalkeeper Adrian Parnis was sent off, leaving Xewkija with 10 players.
5’ (1–1) Ewertton Tom converted the penalty to equalize.
9’ (2–1) Despite being a man down, Xewkija regained the lead through Brian Parada after an individual effort.
14’ (3–1) Brian Parada scored again with a shot that beat the goalkeeper.
23’ (3–2) Ghajnsielem reduced the deficit when Daniel Murillo headed in from a Mark Anthony Scicluna corner.
27’ The Ghajnsielem goalkeeper saved well from Ezequiel Ruiz.
27’ Ruiz set up Matthias Bonnici, who missed from a good position.
32’ Brian Parada headed wide from a Bonnici corner.
35’ (Woodwork) Bonnici hit the crossbar after being set up by Parada.
36’ (4–2) Manuel Bustos scored with a header from a Ruiz corner, effectively sealing the win.
45+2’ (5–2) Brian Parada completed the scoring with a shot into the corner.
FT (XT 5 – GHJ 2)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Asst. Referees: Derome Agius, Paul Apap
0 Comments