MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE

LATE GOALS SAVES RESULT FOR THE ROVERS

ZEBBUG ROVERS FC ...

(S. Galea 63’, J. Farrugia 90+4’)

N. Saliba, G. Sillato, R. Zammit, S. Galea, M. Pace, J. Farrugia, C. Cassar, M. Calleja, C. Gafa, F. Attard, A. Mutalib.

 GHARB RANGERS FC ...

  (H. Cassar 29’ pen., R. Sacco 31’)

J. Scerri, R. Scicluna (J. Vella), H. Cassar, H. Grech, A. Said, J. Apap, R. Vella, R. Sacco, C. Hili, C. Farrugia, S. Cassar.

  Zebbug Rovers were surprisingly held to a draw by Garb Rangers in the penultimate match of the campaign for the two sides.  The final score is quite just each side prevailed over the opponent for a half each.  However, Gharb were very close to obtain an unexpected victory but were denied from obtaining the full points at stake with a goal that arrived in the fourth minute of stoppage time.  With this result Zebbug lost a golden opportunity to consolidate their third spot on the table while Gharb move off the bottom place and leave Qala St Joseph behind them.

  Play took place mainly in the midfield during the first half hour of play and the two goalkeepers were not called to make any difficult interventions.  Gharb seemed more motivated and their efforts were rewarded on 29 minutes when a shot by Clayton Hili was handled in the area by Mario Calleja.  The referee awarded a penalty and Harry Cassar opened the score with his shot from the spot kick.  Zebbug were shocked and the Rangers doubled the score two minutes later.  Roberto Sacco entered the area with a personal action and placed in goal with a low shot.  Zebbug’s reaction arrived through two weak attempts bon separate occasions by Sylvan Galea but Gharb could have increased their lead just before half time.  Once again it was Roberto Sacco who entered the area with a personal action but goalie Noel Saliba managed to save the danger.

  The Rovers came out more aggressive after the break.  After few seconds of play an attempt by Sylvan Galea missed the target.  On 48 minutes Gharb’s goalie John Scerri saved well a low shot by Josmar Farrugia and five minutes later a strike by Michael Pace from outside the area ended high.  Gharb were dangerous on 57 minutes with a counter break by Clayton Hili but the striker’s lob ended just over the crossbar.  Zebbug re-opened the issue on 63 minutes through a shot by Sylvan Galea following a cross form the right by Michael Pace.  The Rovers increased their efforts and on 70 minutes Gharb’s goalkeeper denied Sylvan Galea from leveling the score when he managed to block an angled shot by the striker.  Four minutes later the same goalkeeper was called to make another difficult intervention following a header by Frank Attard.  One Minute later a low shot by Sylvan Galea ended just wide.  Zebbug clinched the equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time.  An attempt by Frank Attard from a corner kick by Sylvan Galea was partially blocked by the defense and from the resultant melee Josmar Farrugia addressed towards goal as defender Harry Cassar tried to clear from the goal-line but the goal was validated following a signal from the assistant referee among the protests of Gharb’s players.

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