Gozo FC moved to a mid-table position in the women’s BOV Division One standings this week after beating lowly Ħamrun Spartans 3-0 at the Luxol Stadium.
William Ganet’s girls opened the score in the early stages of the match, following a Tracy Theuma goal.
However, the Spartans never lost composure and until the half-time break their defensive cover was tight for the team not to concede further goals.
Gozo pressed the accelerator in the second half and did succeed in making their victory more pronounced as Melanie Bajada made it 2-0 on 63 minutes and Emma Xuereb added another 12 minutes from time.
This was Gozo’s second victory from three outings but the Spartans are still reeling at the bottom of the standings with no points to show.
In a Division Two match played earlier this week, Raiders Luxol took sole leadership after handing Fgura United their first defeat of the season.
Mimmo Vella’s team had to fight harder for the points than the scoreline might suggest as Fgura, who were playing at their home ground, produced a battling display.
The score was goalless at half-time but Raiders, who had their goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia to thank for a couple of smart saves, opened a 2-0 lead midway through the second half following goals by Nicole Micallef and Nora Agliano.
Alysa Ann Cachia halved the deficit on 75 minutes but Raiders hit back strongly and sealed the victory with two other goals from Rodienne Zerafa and DeMaris Cuschieri Valentine.
Summaries
Ħamrun: C. Galea, T. Vella, Y. Micallef, A. Buhagiar, A. Atkins, Z. Azzopardi, K. Micallef, C. Xuereb, N. Agius (C.M. Chetcuti 71), L. Cremona, S. Parnis (J. Kokavessis 42).
Gozo FC: M. Mumford, A. Said, R. Azzopardi, M. Zuber, S. Sultana (J. Scerri 70), F. Mercieca, M. Bajada, R. Bajada (M. Pace 61), T. Theuma (S. Vella 73), E. Xuereb (H. Sciberras 83), M. Refalo.
Referee: Keith Buhagiar.
Fgura: M. Polidano, C. Gerada, E. Gialanze, S. Debono, K. Calleja (V. Sciberras 65), A. Cassar, L. Tabone (A. Farrugia 85), J. Abdilla, A. Cachia (J. Mizzi 85), K. Schembri, V. Juste (V. Mizzi 59)
Raiders: S. Farrugia, N. Agliano, T. Briffa, F. Gatt, N. Micallef, D. Cuschieri Valentine, A. Patiniott, D. Pomroy (N. Agius 69), J. Spiteri (R. Zerafa 46), F. Spiteri (K. Mangion 70), A. Zammit (J. Barthet 68).
Referee: Ishmael Barbara.
Division One
Mosta (3-0-0) 9; Birkirkara (2-0-1) 6; Mġarr (2-0-1) 6; Hibs (2-0-1) 6; Gozo FC (2-0-1) 6; Pembroke (1-0-2) 3; Tarxien (0-0-3) 0; Ħamrun (0-0-3) 0.
Division Two
Raiders (3-0-0) 9; Kirkop (2-0-0) 6; Fgura (1-1-1) 4; Vittoriosa Stars (0-1-1) 1; Sta Venera (0-0-2) 0; Lija-Iklin (0-0-2) 0.
Next matches
Tomorrow (Sannat) 11 a.m. Gozo FC vs Birkirkara.
Tuesday (Tarxien) 8 p.m. Tarxien vs Ħamrun Spartans.
Tuesday (Mosta) 8 p.m. Mosta vs Hibernians.