GHARB RANGERS FC … 1 (S. Sultana 20’ o.g.)
M. Agius, A. Said, H. Grech, H. Cassar, O. Formosa, J. Apap, R. Vella, R. Sacco, C. Hili (R. Scicluna), C. Farrugia (J. Portelli), S. Cassar.XAGHRA UNITED FC … 1 (J. Galea 72’)
M. Vella, J. Bartolo (M. Buhagiar), J. Agius, D. Bartolo, S. Sultana, A. Farrugia (J. Sultana), J. Galea, A.Bajada (J. Attard), M.Bezzina, J. Mercieca, M. Scerri.
Contenders for promotion Xaghra United were surprisingly held to a draw by Gharb Rangers who were occupying the bottom place of the table prior to this match. The Blues must have been over confident for this match as they were very weak during the first period and ended up recovering from an embarrassing performance with a good reaction after the break. It was a deserved point for the Rangers.
The players seemed confident during the first half, earned a deserved lead and could have increased the score late in the first half. The Rangers defended well after the break and resisted to Xaghra’s continuous pressure until the final whistle. For this match Xaghra had Philip Attard missing while Johann Attard and Sam Frank Bajada were on the reserves bench. Gharb’s central defender Ruben Scicluna also started from the reserves bench and was utilized in the dying moments.
Xaghra tied to take the initiative of play from the beginning and in the 4th minute a low shot by Michael Bezzina from the edge of the area ended just wide. Gharb replied immediately with a header by Saviour Cassar that was saved by goalie Matthew Vella. In the 9th minute Gharb went again close to scoring through an effort by Christian Farrugia following a solo action that ended just wide. Xaghra seemed frustrated as they failed to create good scoring opportunities. On 20 minutes Gharb opened the score.
Jonathan Apap passed from the right flank and from his cross Xaghra’s central defender Simon Sultana headed badly and committed an own goal. Xaghra’s reaction was sterile. A header by Daniel Bartolo from a cross by Joseph Bartolo in the 38th minute was saved by goalie Mario Agius. Minutes later an effort by Michael Bezzina missed the target. Gharb could have doubled the score seconds from half time when goalie Vella failed to neutralize a long ranged cross and Roy Vella took the loose ball but his shot was stopped by the crossbar.
After the resumption Xaghra came out very aggressive and practically pressed their opponents within their area. In the first minute of the second period they were also unlucky when a strike by Michael Bezzina hit the crossbar. On 50 minutes Xaghra once again hit the woodwork through a header by Josef Galea and Gharb’s goalie was called to make a difficult save on 56 minutes following a low shot by Michael Bezzina.
One minute later a header by Daniel Bartolo from a corner kick by Bezzina ended just high. On 59 minutes it was Daniel Bartolo who headed over the crossbar a corner kick by Joseph Mercieca and five minutes later the same Bartolo concluded wide following an inviting cross by Manwel Scerri.
Xaghra were rewarded for their efforts on 72 minutes when Josef Galea surprised goalie Mario Agius with an excellent long ranged strike. The Blues kept insisting and on 75 minutes substitute Joseph Sultana concluded incredibly wide after receiving from Daniel Bartolo. On minute later goalie Agius saved well an attempt by Joseph Bartolo and on 79 minutes a direct corner kick by Joseph Mercieca shaved the post.
Three minutes later Gharb’s goalie Agius saved a direct free kick by the same Mercieca and on 86 minutes Gharb ended with a player less on the field when Jonathan Apap was sent off for a second caution. Xaghra maintained pressure in an attempt to score the winner but the closest they went to scoring was in the 9th minute of stoppage time but Michael Bezzina’s shot was well saved in corner by goalie Mario Agius.
Referee: Pierre Azzopardi
Courtesy of www.gozofootball.net
