BOV Challenge League – Matchday Report
Żebbuġ Rangers 0 – 1 Mġarr United
Mġarr United returned to winning ways with a narrow but deserved 1–0 victory over Żebbuġ Rangers, deepening the latter’s relegation worries in the BOV Challenge League.
Both sides entered the match after heavy 4–1 defeats — Żebbuġ against Balzan and Mġarr versus Pietà — and were desperate for a positive result. The Greens, sitting mid-table before kickoff, started the brighter of the two and created a string of chances early on.
Ronaldo da Cruz and Noto Souza Cristyan both tested Żebbuġ goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi, who produced several important saves to keep his team in contention. Souza Cristyan squandered a golden opportunity on 31 minutes when Azzopardi denied him again as he tried to round the keeper.
After coming close several times, Mġarr finally broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half. Souza Cristyan — lively throughout — latched onto a loose ball and calmly lobbed over Azzopardi to make it 1–0.
Żebbuġ responded immediately and were twice denied by the woodwork as Michael Silva Oliveira struck the post twice in quick succession. The home side had a perfect chance to level on 56 minutes when awarded a penalty, but Gaetano Gesualdi saw his effort saved by Jonathan Debono.
Mġarr pushed to seal the result, with Jurgen Pace and Ebisindor both going close before Żebbuġ’s Glenn Mifsud was sent off for a last-man foul on 79 minutes. The Greens comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to claim three vital points that lift them up the table, while Żebbuġ remain mired in the relegation zone with just one point from five matches.
Marsa 2 – 2 Sirens
In the second match at the Centenary Stadium, Marsa and Sirens played out an entertaining 2–2 draw in a match full of twists at the Centenary Stadium.
Sirens began strongly and should have taken the lead when Thiago Nonato’s close-range header was superbly saved by Amara Sylla. Marsa’s Zeron Azzopardi tested Ryan Caruana with a low drive just before half-time, but the sides went in goalless.
The breakthrough came shortly after the restart as Ryan Mercieca met a pinpoint cross from the left to head Sirens into the lead. The St Paul’s Bay side continued to press, with Trezeguet Zammit going close on the hour.
Marsa, however, rallied late. On 75 minutes, Jok Atem Dor equalised with a crisp low strike. Just three minutes later, Sirens reclaimed the advantage through Akadom Hafiz, who powered in another header from Zammit’s cross. But the drama wasn’t over — substitute Davi Machado struck almost immediately to make it 2–2.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but the points were ultimately shared — a fair result from an exciting contest.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply