Victoria Hotspurs Promoted to National League I

Victoria Hotspurs Promoted to National League I

Victoria Hotspurs 4 – 0 Ghaxaq F.C.

Scorers: 1′ Rondinely Roberto Monteiro, 11′ Emmanuel Mbong, 16′ Emmanuel Mbong, 58′ Wellington Valentim De Sousa

Association debutants Victoria Hotspurs from our sister island Gozo keep marching on with another comfortable victory over Ghaxaq, in a match played on Friday night at the Centenary Stadium. With a 3-0 advantage after just 15 minutes play, the match looked to turn out to be a rout but eventually Ghaxaq managed to get their organisation back in place, becoming more adventurous after the team of Oliver Spiteri were reduced to ten, and nine, late in the match, with also Ghaxaq finishing the match with ten.

The league leaders started in usual fashion with the first goal already arriving after barely a minute with efficient Brazilian centre-forward Rondinely rounding off some good work by Shaun Attard from close-range. Emmanuel Mbong scored two in quick succession on 11 and 16 minutes, developing the match into a no-contest. On 22 minutes, the Gozitans were awarded a penalty but Dejan Bogdanovic, laconically, saw his attempt saved by Luke Attard. However, the referee ordered a re-take but Bogdanovic produced another weak spot-kick with Attard saving once more. Until half-time, the Ghaxaq defence somehow managed to get a grip on the countless Hotspurs attacks, with Attard performing several saves to keep the score respectable.

The Hotspurs, with 43-year-old ex-Malta international Roderick Briffa back in the starting line-up, were seeking a fourth goal and were rewarded just before hour with quick substitute Wellington de Sousa rounding off a fine individual move in the box. On 74 minutes, the Gozitans were reduced to ten when Dylan Mercieca allegedly brought down Jayden Borg just outside the box in a fast Ghaxaq counter-attack, which was interpreted as denying Ghaxaq an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Eight minutes later, substitute Joseph-George Vella followed Mercieca into the dressing room for dissent. On 84 minutes, Ian Calleja of Ghaxaq was also dismissed with a second yellow card for a reckless tackle. In the remaining time left, Jason Pace and Christian Grima could have added a few more for the Hotspurs but found Luke Attard on their way, who was undoubtedly Ghaxaq’s best on the night.

Match Report by MFA Match Centre