Match corresponding to the 10th Round of the Gibraltarian Premier Divison and played on Friday 9th December 2016 at 20:30
Gibraltar United Football Club 3 – 1 Manchester 62 Football Club
Montovio
Podesta (2)
Gibraltar United Football Club
1 Kyle ‘Chino’ Goldwin
4 Anthony Hernandez
5 Jason Pusey
21 Erin Barnett
17 Kaylan Rumbo
24 Jamie Bosio
26 Ashley Rodriguez
6 Dexter Panzavechia
8 Anthony Hernandez
14 Paul Podesta
7 Robert Montovio (C)
SUBSTITUTES
Jamie Currer on for Dexter Panzavechia
Ashley Perez on for Kaylan Rumbo
Jesse Victory on for Robert Montovio
United in action a fortnight later after Europa Point forfeited last week’s match. It sees a much changed line up with Montovio, Goldwin and Barnett back after completing suspensions. Pusey returns from injury and Rumbo starts at right back. Podesta partners Robert up front in an attacking formation that we hope will see United take the game to Man 62 in this very important fixture that sees the start of the second round in the Premier Division.
A crucial three points were at stake a Man 62 team that was fielding Argentine striker Toncheff for the last time before he leaves for Bahrain’s top league. A crucial three points because victory for the Red and White’s would mean a 6 point gap between them and the bottom for and crucial for Man 62 who would tie on points with United. However it was clear from the start that Gib Utd were up for this with Anthony Hernandez quickly taking the reins of the team. Indeed he created the first chance only for Montovio to drift his shot wide of Mateo’s goal. As Man 62 gradually got back into the game it became a dull affair with little goal match action, unlike the 4 goal thriller that opened the league in late September. Their only chance was a Payas free kick that Chino dealt with low down to his right.
The second half was to be another affair. Football often throws up some incredible stories and the law of coinicidences said that Toncheff was to score in his last game in Gibraltar. So it was. He capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire Man 62 into the lead 5 minutes after the restart to leave the Red and Whites shell shocked having seen their opponents create so little in the first half. Heads however did not go down and we saw that battling character that served us so well last season resurface to take the game to our opponents. First it was Montovio who, served by Panzavechia, who proved profilgate. Then it was the referee who waved away frantic appeals for a penalty after Bosio was fouled in the box. Finally however United got the equaliser they so richly deserved and it was Gunslinger Montovio who finally pierced the Man 62 defence with a well taken finish on the 75th minute.
Pandemonium was to follow a minute later when sub Currer drilled in a low cross to fin Paul Podesta in space by the far post to have simple tap in to make the score 2-1. A great moment for Paul whose last two year’s of football have been marred by serious injury and time away from the pitch. The fact the goal was such an important one only served to sweeten the moment as this picture captured by Chris Correa shows.
Photo copyrighted to C.Correa Photography
It was to get sweeter for both United and Podesta as he grabbed a second with a tremendous shot from the edge of the area to settle the game at 3-1 deep in injury time. It was also fitting that Anthony Hernandez assisted him. A tremendous week for Gib Utd. 6 points that see the club sitting pretty in 6th with daylight between them and the clubs below them. The following tweet by Jamie Bosio shows exactly what it meant to the players.
gibraltarunitedfc 