Gharghur back to winning ways after a four-month break

Football - BOV First Division

Gharghur Marsa 1 0

An Isaac Chircop header midway through the second half gave bottom of the table side Gharghur a precious victory that comes after seven successive defeats.

Gharghur’s last win had been way back in September when they beat Pieta on the third day.

It was an exciting match with several scoring opportunities, with Marsa deserving at least a point from this match. The result lifts Gharghur’s hopes of avoiding the drop as they are now just two points behind Fgura and three behind Rabat, who have, however, a game in hand.

Marsa almost took the lead after barely four minutes play when a melee ensued in front of goal following a corner action but the Gharghur defence somehow managed to clear the danger.

On 15 minutes Marsa lost a golden opportunity when Rodney Refalo failed to connect in front of goal.

On 21 minutes Lucky Omerou darted inside the box and his scorcher was well saved by Valletta.

Four minutes Gharghur almost went ahead when Busuttil went near to score an own goal in an attempt to clear.

On 36 minutes Gharghur’s best move in the first half with De Lima Nicolau passing towards Mark Spiteri who was denied by a Brilliant Caruana save.

Near the end Gharghur had penalty appeals for a foul on Nicolau turned down by the referee.

Four minutes into the second half Luke Busuttil’s central drive was blocked by Caruana. On 56 minutes it was Marsa’s turn to appeal for a penalty when Omerou was tripped inside the area. On the hour Omerou passed towards Refalo who should have done better in front of goal.

Four missed minutes later, another good Marsa chance when Sakurai was put through by Omerou, but his effort was blocked by Valletta and De Melo shot wide from the rebound.

On 67 minutes Gharghur broke the deadlock when Isaac Chircop headed home a De Lima Nicolau corner.

Ten minutes later, Marsa were very unlucky when Gilbert Martin’s effort was blocked by Valletta and from the rebound Kento Sakurai’s shot hit the base of the upright and from the second rebound Steve Meilak’s point blank shot was somehow blocked again by Valletta.

Gharghur: Z. Valletta, J. Azzopardi, K. Fedele, D. Camilleri, I. Chircop, S. Mino, L. Busuttil, M. Fagbeja, E. De Lima Nicolau (L. Vella), L. Grima, M. Spiteri (K. Conti).

Marsa: R. Caruana, L. Scorfna, R. Mifsud, M. Busuttil, A. Sicali (G. Martin), L. Omerou, J. Farrugia (E. Vella), L. De Melo, R. Refalo (M. Gauci), K. Sakurai, S. Meilak.

Referee: Etienne Mangion