Zurrieq Football Club Blog

Żurrieq 0
Mellieħa 0

Żurrieq picked up the point they needed to avoid relegation after a goalless draw with Mellieħa.

Reds keeper Julian Azzopardi palmed away Wayne Borg St John's shot early on and Żurrieq hit back with a Terence Cachia shot that never troubled Simon Gauci.

The match was evenly balanced but just before half-time Clayton Gatt almost scored for Żurrieq but his shot flew over the bar.

Azzopardi was alert to keep out a Reuben Vella free-kick after the break and on the hour, he distinguished himself with another fine stop off Ibrahim Tarek's shot.

Very few chances followed after that with Żurrieq easily keeping out their opponents to ensure their status for another season.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, D. Bellizzi, C. Gatt, A. Barbara, J. Camilleri, J. Saliba, D. Bonnici (K. Sacco), M. Abdilla (Joh. Briffa), C. Mamo, D. Zammit, T. Cachia (Jos. Briffa).

Mellieħa: S. Gauci, M. Vella, A. Portelli, W. Borg, R. Micallef (B. Bartolo), M. Borg, K. Gauci, P. Camilleri (M. Abela), W. Borg St John, R. Vella, I. Tarek (J. Vella).

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

3 Precious Points

Gżira United 1
Żurrieq 2

Gżira failed to take advantage from the drawn results of Lija and St Andrew's as they were beaten by troubled Żurrieq for whom Steve Azzopardi scored the winner four minutes into injury-time.

After just five minutes Matthew Cocks could have given the Maroons a headstart but hit wide from a good position from an Antoine Galea corner. Żurrieq ventured forward through Johan Briffa and on 20 minutes Gżira had a close-range shot by Antoine Galea that finished high.

Gżira held the initiative and created a good scoring opportunity through Josef Felice but five minutes before the break the Reds opened the score when Darren Bellizzi hit home from a Johan Briffa centre.

Żurrieq had a chance to move 2-0 ahead soon after the restart only for a Josef Briffa free-kick to flash wide.

But, right on the hour, Gżira drew level when Richard Attard beat Julian Azzopardi with a powerful drive that left the keeper stranded.

Both sides had their chances to score a winner. Debattista stopped an Azzopardi shot and at the other end Gżira claimed a penalty following a personal effort by Attard. Żurrieq defended boldy and deep into stoppage time Azzopardi scored the winner after a quick break initiated by Jason Saliba.

Gżira: R. Debattista, A. White, H. Gatt Bonello, M. Sultana, N. Gatt Coleiro (J. Tabone), M. Cocks, K. Bonello, J. Felice, A. Galea (A. Pirrone), N. Corito, R. Attard.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, D. Bellizzi, J. Camilleri, C. Gatt, A. Barbara, J. Saliba, Joh. Briffa (D. Bonnici), Jos. Briffa (M. Abdilla), V. Zerafa (C. Shomba), D. Zammit, S. Azzopardi.

Referee: Mohammed Khalil.

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Third- placed Gzira United lost 1 - 2 to Zurrieq FC. An important win for the latter who now moves into sixth place.

St. Andrews have now gone four matches without a win in the BOV Second Division after being held in a 1 - 1 draw by Zebbug Rangers on Sunday. A precious point for the Rangers in the battle to avoid the tenth place.

Lija lead the way with 41 point, followed by St. Andrews on 39, Gzira 37, Birzebbuga 33, Mellieha 32, Zurrieq 25, Rabat 23, Zebbug 22, Senglea 21, St. Venera 20, Gharghur 12, Gozo 10.

(Other detailed paper reports will be given out later on this week)

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Żurrieq 2
Għargħur 1

Żurrieq recovered from the upset to Gozo FC in their previous match with a useful victory over fellows-in-distress Għargħur.

Għargħur opened the score after just two minutes through Andre Azzopardi following an indecision by Reds keeper Manwel D'Amato.

But, Żurrieq immediately went on the offensive and they got a deserved equaliser when Steve Azzopardi followed on to score from the rebound after his first shot had hit the upright.

Żurrieq held the initiative after the break and a shot by Daniel Zammit was cleared off the goalline.

Azzopardi missed a good opportunity to put Għargħur in front and his team paid dearly for that as the Reds struck the eventual winner on 52 minutes through an own-goal by defender Clint Farrugia off a Johan Briffa centre.

Żurrieq: M. D'Amato, C. Gatt, J. Camilleri, A. Barbara, D. Mula, J. Saliba, Joh. Briffa, Jos. Briffa, D. Zammit (C. Mamo), V. Zerafa (M. Abdilla), S. Azzopardi (K. Sacco).

Għargħur: M. Aquilina (F. Scicluna), R. Debattista, J. Galea (R. Cassar), C. Farrugia, M. Mercieca, R. Southward, C. Zammit, D. Cremona, D. Mamo, S. Vella (F. Grech), A. Azzopardi.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Three second-half goals earned wooden-spoonists Gozo a victory over 10-man Żurrieq who are in the danger zone.

Play was rather balanced during the first half. Gozo had efforts from John Camilleri and Michael Bezzina stopped by Reds keeper Julian Azzopardi. Żurrieq could have scored through Daniel Zammit and Jason Saliba.

The hosts enjoyed an excellent start to the second period and opened the scoring through Camilleri. Żurrieq protested for offside and Azzopardi was sent off for dissent.

Although Żurrieq had a player less, they still produced a bold reaction and on two occasions attempts by Saliba and Josef Briffa were cleared from over the line with the keeper beaten.

Żurrieq's hopes, however, were dealt a blow on 71 minutes when Gozo doubled the score from a penalty, scored by Eman Bugeja.

The visitors' only opportunity to re-open the issue came on 75 minutes through an effort by Saliba that was neutralised by keeper Mercieca as Gozo sealed the issue four minutes from time through Mark Muscat.

Gozo FC: C. Mercieca, M. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, A. Debono, F. Debono, P. Spiteri, M. Bezzina, D. Mercieca, E. Bugeja, E. Grima, J. Camilleri.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, J. Camilleri, D. Bellizzi, D. Mula (M. Damato), C. Gatt, M. Abdilla (C. Shomba), J. Saliba, V. Zerafa (S. Azzopardi), Jh. Briffa, Js. Briffa, D. Zammit.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Rabat Ajax 1
Żurrieq 0

A first-half goal scored by Justin Felice earned Rabat a crucial win over Żurrieq. The Magpies are still third from bottom but they have now joined the Reds on the 16-point mark.

After two minutes, Rabat claimed a penalty for a handling infringement by Darren Bellizzi and then two shots by Alan Zahra and Justin Felice were well saved by Julian Azzopardi.

At the other end, Żurrieq were close through a header by Daniel Zammit and a free-kick by Johan Briffa, both efforts stopped by Jonathan Azzopardi.

Rabat took the lead on 29 minutes when Felice hit home following a fine move initiated by Adam Smeir. Felice could have made it 2-0 soon after but shot straight at Azzopardi when unmarked in the opponents' box.

Two minutes after the break, Żurrieq were denied by Azzopardi off a Zammit shot but it was Rabat who continued to push forward only for goal attempts by Zahra and Smeir to be stopped by the Reds' keeper.

Eight minutes from time, Żurrieq could have grabbed an equaliser but Victor Zerafa blasted wide from inside the box and then a Zammit header was saved by Azzopardi.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, C. Schembri, J. Caruana, S. Gauci, J. Felice (A. Wingfield), A. Zahra (M. Micallef), A. Smeir, D. Azzopardi, D. Falzon, K. Cassar, E. Muscat.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, A. Barbara, D. Bellizzi, D. Bonnici, K. Sacco (M. Spiteri), M. Abdilla (S. Azzopardi), J. Saliba, D. Zammit, C. Shumba, Joh. Briffa, Jos. Briffa (V. Zerafa).

Referee: Mitchell Scerri.

Żurrieq 0
Senglea Athletic 0

Senglea Athletic fully deserved the point gained from this match as they defended well against a Żurrieq side that created the best chances throughout but were denied by some fine saves from goalkeeper George Attard.

Żurrieq proved to be the better team throughout the first half and after just four minutes a shot by Michael Abdilla was saved by Attard and the Senglea custodian then blocked Daniel Zammit's effort.

At the other end, Senglea were twice close through Timmy Thomas and Julian Spiteri.

Żurrieq continued to push forward and had efforts from Dino Bonnici, Zammit and Josef Briffa that failed to hit the target.

Four minutes into the second half, Thomas saw his effort saved by Żurrieq goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.

Żurrieq then had a shot by Jason Saliba that finished just wide and at the other end Azzopardi charged out of his goal to anticipate the advancing Thomas.

Senglea finished the match with ten men when Glen Brincat was dismissed for retaliation.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, J. Camilleri (K. Sacco), D. Bellizzi, A. Barbara, C. Gatt, J. Saliba, D. Bonnici, M. Abdilla (S. Azzopardi), Joh. Briffa, Jos. Briffa (V. Zerafa), D. Zammit.

Senglea: G. Attard, C. Borg, J. Spiteri, F. Dingli (G. Brincat), H. Hughes, J. Buttigieg, D. Cosaitis, A. Sciortino, B. Zerafa, N. Abela (K. Galea), T. Thomas.

Referee: Mohammed Khalil.

St Andrew's 0
Żurrieq 0

Żurrieq fully deserve the point gained against league leaders St Andrew's in a match during which the Saints attacked for long stretches but lacked punch upfront.

The Saints were close after just five minutes through a shot by Michael Calleja which just missed the target. They continued to push forward and on 24 minutes Julian Azzopardi did well to keep out Neil Chetcuti's shot.

Four minutes later, the Żurrieq custodian brought off a difficult save on a point-blank shot by Michael Grima and on 40 minutes Calleja shot just wide from close-range.

After the break the Saints increased the pressure and a dangerous cross by Nicky Vella Petroni was saved by Azzopardi and on other occasions attempts by Grima and Jonathan Bugeja were well saved by the Żurrieq keeper.

In a swift break on 76 minutes, St Andrew's striker Calleja dribbled past two Żurrieq defenders but shot just wide.

Four minutes from time, Żurrieq almost grabbed a shock winner through Darren Bellizzi from a Johan Briffa corner.

St Andrew's: R. Gauci, N. Chetcuti, A. Camilleri Kamsky, J. Briscoe White, J. Bugeja, M. Calleja, W. Camilleri, M. Valenzia (J.P. Calleja), A. Debono, N. Vella Petroni, M. Grima (E. Grima).

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, D. Bellizzi, A. Barbara, C. Gatt, J. Camilleri (D. Mula), M. Spiteri (M. Abdilla), J. Saliba, D. Bonnici, Joh. Briffa, Jos. Briffa, D. Zammit (S. Azzopardi).

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

St Andrews-Zurrieq 0-0

St Andrews dictated the run of play throughout the first half but Zurrieq made things difficult as they packed their midfield and were very organised at the back.

The Saints were close early on through Michael Calleja and Neil Chetcuti and in the 26th minute an insidious corner-kick taken by Nicky Vella Petroni just missed the target.

Two minutes later a close-range shot by Michael Grima was blocked by Julian Azzopardi and on another occasion Michael Calleja hit just high over the bar from close-range.

Three minutes before the end of the first half the Saints won a free-kick which was taken by Anatol Debono with Azzopardi bringing off a difficult save.

During the second period St Andrews continued to dictate the proceedings and early on they were twice very close through Michael Grima and Nicky Vella Petroni.

Gradually the Saints increased the pressure and were close through shots by Michael Grima and Jonathan Bugeja which were saved by Julian Azzopardi.

In the 76th minute Saints’ striker Michael Calleja broke away but finally concluded just wide from the edge of the penalty area with Zurrieq going close late in the match through Darren Bellizzi.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.