Munxar’s last gasp goal denies Kercem from the first win

by | Jan 9, 2019 | 18/19, Match Report, News

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I

MATCH DETAILS

Gozo Stadium – 6 January 2019

Kercem A FC: 1 (F.A. De Oliviera 73’pen)

Vrndic, D. Cassar, C. Caruana, J. Buttigieg, E. Vella (M. Cefai), N.P. Mercadante Leite Do Canto, M. Hrubsa, N. Mercieca, O. Spiteri, J.P. Mizzi, F.A, De Oliviera.

Munxar F FC: 1 (S. Dimech 90+5’)

J.P. Cassar, K. Borg, P. Parnis (S. Dimech), C. Debono, J. Grima, O. Curmi, M. Debrincat (C. Bugeja), J.J. Sandobal Guarin, G. Muscat, B. Polo Longarela, A. Ademilua.

MATCH REPORT

Kercem Ajax and Munxar Falcons started the second round of the championship by earning a point each from a draw of two goals so that the former remain at the bottom place on the table while the Falcons retained their sixth place and therefore just outside the relegation zone.  Kercem seemed more determined to obtain the win form this encounter and the Ajax were actually very close to achieve their goal as they were in the lead during stoppage time. However, Kercem suffered Munxar’s reaction during the final stages mainly because they had a player less on the field and ended up conceding the equaliser seconds away from the final whistle.  For this match Munxar were without the Columbian striker Leiner Panesso who was transferred to Nadur Youngster, Matthias Michael Uzor was missing but gave a debut to midfielder Adebayo Ademilua.

Kercem came out more adventurous and in the second minute of play they could have opened the score but an effort by Joshua Buttigieg was neutralised by goalie John Paul Cassar.  Three minutes later Kercem were also unlucky but a free kick by Elton Vella hit the crossbar and on 22 minutes a header by Felipe Augusto De Oliviera from a corner kick by Elton Vella ended just wide.  Munxar’s first attempt at Kercem’s goal arrived on 25 minutes when Borja Polo Longarela escaped the offside trap, entered the area but had his shot partially saved by goalie Branco Vrndic and from the rebound defender Nathaniel Mercieca cleared the ball to a corner.  Three minutes later Kercem’s Pedro Leite Do Canto came face to face with Munxar’s keeper but his effort ended wide. Munxar started to share more play with their opponents during the final stages of the first half and on 34 minutes a shot from outside the area by Borja Polo Longarela missed the target.  Less than a minute later Kercem’s keeper was well placed to save a strike by Oliver Curmi and on 41 minutes the same goalkeeper saved with difficulty to a corner a direct corner kick by Munxar’s Christian Debono.

Play continued to be quite interesting after the break although Kercem continued to insist more in attack.  On 51 minutes Kercem’s Felipe Augusto De Oliviera released Pedro Leite Do Canto but goalie John Paul Cassar left his position in time to closer the danger.  On 61 minutes Kercem could have opened the score but Jean Paul Mizzi headed high form close distance following a corner kick by Nathaniel Mercieca and less than a minute later Kercm’s keeper Branco Vrndic went up to the edge of the area to clear the ball before Joseph Grima could conclude towards goal.  On 69 minutes Munxar’s Borja Polo Longarela entered Kercem’s area form the left flank but his low shot ended wide. Kercem took the lead on 73 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty for handling by Munxar’s Gabriele Muscat following a corner kick by Nathaniel Merieca and Felipe Augusto De Oliviera converted from the spot kick. Munxar’s reaction was sterile but 0n 86 minutes Kercem were reduced to ten players when Nathaniel Mercieca was sent off for a second bookable offence committed on Borja Polo Longarela.  Munxar took advantage of the extra player on the field during the final stages and their efforts were rewarded in the fifth minute of stoppage time when they saved the result through a tap-in by substitute Steve Dimech who took the rebound from the goalkeeper who saved partially a header by Adebayo Ademilua from a corner action.  Just before the end of the encounter Munxar could have turned the result in their favour but a cross shot by Borja Polo Longarela was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Branco Vrndic.

Referee: Dorian Caruana

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