Match corresponding to the 4th Round of the Gibraltarian Premier Division and played on Saturday 22nd October 2016. at 20:30
Gibraltar United Football Club 0 – 1 St Joseph’s Football Club
Gibraltar United Football Club
1 Kyle ‘Chino’ Goldwin
3 Ashley Perez
15 Aymen Mouelhi
19 Brad Power
5 Jason Pusey
21 Erin Barnett
24 Jamie Bosio
26 Ashley Rodriguez
8 Andrew Hernandez
4 Anthony Hernandez
7 Robert Montovio (C)
SUBSTITUTES
Kaylan Rumbo on for Jason Pusey
Jamie Currer on for Andrew Hernandez
Paul Podesta on for Robert Montovio
United come into the game on the backs of a very poor performance versus Mons Calpe last time out. Supporters will hope that the manager takes a more positive approach to today’s match and let our attacking players showcase their talents against a St Joseph’s side we have yet to get a point off in our 3 previous encounters. With Carl Thomas leaving the club by mutual consent, Erin Barnett shifts to right back and Aymen moves into a more familiar centre half role. Ashley Perez is recalled and so are the Hernandez brothers back after U19 duties and injury respectively.
United came out with a totally different mentality to that exhibited against Mons Calpe. We attacked more in the first 5 minutes of the game than we had in the 90 against Mons. The ball was being moved around confidently and adroitly and StJ’s found themselves on an unexpected back foot. Supporters in the stands were relieved to see that the manager seemed to have changed his tack and removed the shackles from the team. Cue the 8th minute of the match. A darting St Joseph’s counter from the left had exposed our defence. Brad was covering the St Joseph’s attacker whose speed blind sided him. He grappled the attacker and threw him to the ground as he was preparing to shoot. Mr Warwick had no choice but to correctly show Brad red as he had denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Any offensive flame was hitherto extinguished as United sought to restructure after going to 10 men. But as is common in football a numerical disadvantage is often a catalyst for a dogged and solid performance. As it was the 10 men held for 15 minutes as Romero gave St Joseph’s the lead with a well taken shot. Chino was the busiest of the keepers, yet not as busy as one could expect considering United’s numerical handicap. As the first half drew to a close St Joesph’s had had the goal and one other clear chance but little else as play had degenerated into a midfield slog.
With Currer and Rumbo coming on at half time United started spritely enough, actually dominating possession and keeping the ball in their opponents half. Yet no chances were being created. Jamie Bosio was having a blinder in midfield doing the job of two players while at the same time spurring his team mates on. A similar job was being done by Erin Barnett, who by now had shifted to center half. Anthony Hernandez was trying to find that spark of magic to create a chance but we were having no luck. Instead it ws St Joseph’s that looked the more dangerous on the break with Borja on the left wing in particular. Chino was forced into two spectacular saves to keep the match alive as United ploughed on looking for an opening.
Jamie Bosio, candidate for United’s Man of the Match.
A flaking Montovio was replaced by Podesta, who had impressed last time out. Yet the breakthrough did not come. As the match came to its concluding moments it was United that had the ball but lacked the penetration or indeed luck to trouble Jordan Perez in the blue and white goal.
1-0 seems a good result considering the 80 minutes United played with 10 men against a very good St Joseph’s side. Supporters saw a better performance than against Mons and thw ability to take games to our opponents is there. Our next two games versus Lynx and Lions will hopefully provide the opportunites for that attacking flair to exhibit itself.