ZEBBUG TURN A DEFEAT INTO A VICTORY

MUNXAR FALCONS FC ...

D. Curmi, M. Debrincat, M. Zammit (J. Agius), C. Micallef, J. Mizzi (W. Cassar), D. Pace, A. Camilleri, J. Cordina (R. Hili), J. Calleja, P. Said, M. Azzopardi.

ZEBBUG ROVERS FC ...

N. Saliba, J. Hili, F. Magrin, A. Mutalib (C. Gafa), M. Pace, S. Galea, P. Cordina, G. Sillato, R. Zammit, F. Attard, J. Farrugia (C. Cassar).

  Zebbug Rovers obtained three points from their first match of the third round against Munxar Falcons and re-opened their chances to challenge the same Munxar and Oratory for the third spot on the table.  Zebbug deserved the points as they defended well during the first period and produced a good pressure after the break.  Munxar failed to produce their usual play and their goal only arrived from an own goal by Zebbug’s rearguard.  With this win Zebbug made up for the two defeats conceded against Munxar in the previous two rounds.

  Munxar held the initiative of play during the first period but found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities.  In the 6th minute a low shot by Mario Azzopardi was saved in corner by goalie Noel Saliba.  The same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save to turn in corner a strike by Matthew Debrincat.  Zebbug were dangerous on 27 minute but Frank Attard concluded wide an inviting pass by Michael Pace.  Munxar opened the score on 34 minutes.  Zebbug’s rearguard failed to clear the ball at the edge of the area, goalie Saliba blocked Joseph Mizzi’s attempt but the ball bounced on central defender Franco Magrin and ended in goal.  The Rovers went close to level the score in the first minute of stoppage time of the first period but Frank Attard’s shot from a through pass by Sylvan Galea ended wide.

  The Rovers came out more aggressive after the break and leveled the score on 50 minutes through a long ranged strike by Sylvan Galea that surprised goalie Curmi.  The Rovers continued to be more dangerous and on 67 minutes Sylvan Galea incredibly concluded wide when he was facing the goalkeeper.  Three minutes later goalie Joe Hili saved with difficulty a long ranged shot by Daniel Curmi and on 72 minutes the same goalkeeper turned in corner a direct free kick by Sylvan Galea.  The Rovers turned the result in their favour on 80 minutes.  A direct free kick by Franco Magrin was partially saved by goalie Curmi and Sylvan Galea followed the action and headed the ball into an open goal from the rebound.  Munxar were demoralized and in the 88th minute Zebbug could have sealed the issue but an angled shot by Sylvan Galea was saved by goalie Daniel Curmi.  On 90 minutes a long ranged shot by the same Galea just missed the target.  In the second minute of stoppage time Munxar’s goalie Curmi denied Galea from registering a hat-trick with a fine intervention following a header from a free kick by Philip Cardona.