Sannat Lions 2
Rais 27, 53
SK Victoria Wanderers 0
The 60th championship of the Gozo FA was decided on the last day of the 2008/09 campaign when Sannat Lions claimed the title with a fine victory over SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Lions entered the match requiring just one point to claim the title. Għajnsielem had failed to keep the pace in their previous match so Sannat were not going to let this chance escape from their grasp... the last time they were champions was 19 years ago.
This season they were the most in-form team and practically stayed at the top of the standings throughout the championship, resisting the challenges that came from Victoria Hotspurs, SK Victoria Wanderers and then Għajnsielem.
The players deserve praise but Sannat Lions FC president Teddy Bajada and coach Adeodato Spiteri also did their part to make this a memorable season for them.
The team had a solid defence, marshalled by Mario Azzopardi, Justin Agius and Andrew Debono.
A hard-working midfield, composed of Mark Muscat, Mark Formosa, Benneth Njoku and Sandro Brazilino was compliment with an efficient strike force of Fernando de Andrade, John Camilleri and veteran Sabri Rais.
For last weekend's match, Sannat had to do without chief scorer De Andrade though.
They still created the better scoring opportunities but had to wait until the 27th minute to open the score thanks to a tap-in by Rais following a cross by John Camilleri.
Sannat wanted to put their minds at rest with a second goal and that duly arrived on 53 minutes thanks to a fine header by Rais from a Muscat delivery.
The Wanderers tried to hit back but until the final whistle the Lions controlled play with authority to the sheer delight of their numerous fans.
After the match, GFA president Alvin Grech and general secretary Joe Bajada presented trophies and medals to the new champions.
Sannat Lions
P. Galea (D. Bajada), B. Njoku, J. Agius, A. Debono, M. Muscat, M. Formosa (F. Debono), E. Bugeja (N. Micallef), J. Camilleri, S. Brazilino, M. Azzopardi, S. Rais.
SK Victoria Wanderers
M. Mercieca, M. Grech (S. Dimech), F. Magrin, A. Williams, L. Mizzi, J. Attard, C. Sciortino, I. Adesina, A. Adesina, J. Vella, L. Dimech.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Division Two
The top clash between Xagħra United and Xewkija Tigers, which attracted a sizeable crowd to the Gozo Stadium, ended in a stalemate and now a decider is needed to determine the champions.
Xewkija opened the score on 26 minutes through Rodney Buttigieg and they could have doubled their lead after the break but a header by Andreas Fotso hit the crossbar.
Xagħra were also unlucky when Philip Attard saw his effort bouncing against the woodwork.
The Blues levelled the score in the 67th minute through a penalty, awarded for a foul by John Vella on Michael Bezzina, and converted by Andi Koci.
BoV GFA Cup
Għajnsielem and Victoria Hotspurs will face each other in the semi-final of the GFA Cup following victories over Qala St Joseph and Żebbuġ Rovers respectively.
The Blacks were streets ahead of Qala but only managed a 2-1 victory after goals by Joseph Attard and Kenneth Mercieca.
Għajnsielem were guilty of some lost chances but made sure to avoid any upsets after Qala had got back in the match on 72 minutes when Brian Meilak committed an own goal.
The over-confident Hotspurs opened the score through Alex Tramboo but Basil Chibueze levelled matters for the Rovers just before half-time.
However, once again, Czech striker Martin Hanus came to Victoria's rescue with a hat-trick to pave the way for his team's victory. The Rovers scored a second goal through Ryan Zammit for a final 4-2 result.