BLACKS' LATEST NEWS

Presentation of new first team coach
July 30
The newly formed Ghajnsielem F.C. committee led by Mr Sammy Rapa held the first in a series of meetings with the supporters in order to give an update of the latest developments within the Club. The meeting was held on the Club's terrace area, just 30 days after the new committee was formed. Mr Rapa announced that Ghajnsielem F.C. had secured the services of coach, Joe Grech, who hails from Msida and who is presently the coach of Gozo F.C. The Club also presented the 2008/09 gear and a gift to Mr Vincent Cutajar for his services and dedication to the Club both as a player and later as a benefactor. The meeting ended with a video presentation showing the Blacks throughout the years.

Club holds extraordinary general meeting
June 29
 

Club holds annual general meeting
June 7
 

Joseph Buttigieg, Club Player of the Year
June 4
Joseph Buttigieg has been awarded with his second Ghajnsielem F.C. player of the year award in three years. The Blacks' captain had an outstanding season for the Club, and was a revelation when he was pressed into central defence midway through the season following an injury crisis. His exquisitely timed tackles, solid clearances and relentless stalking of opponents in possession are some of the enduring memories from Buttigieg's outstanding season with the Club. David Debattista and Charles Mercieca were two more defenders who were honoured this evening--most promising player and most dedicated player awards, respectively. Who knows how Ghajnsielem's season would have unfolded had not these two players not missed so much playing time with injuries.

The Club also honoured Jason Vella (player of the year), Kenny Hili (most promising player and top scorer) and Robert Vassallo (most dedicated player) for the Under/16 category and Antonio Xuereb (player of the year), Carl Scicluna (most promising) and Chris Grech (most dedicated) for the Under/13 category.

President Raymond Grech, who also addressed those present, vice-president Alfio Rapa, and coaches, Alex Spiteri and Ivan Vella, made the trophy presentations.

Qala humiliate the champions
May 8
Fresh from their stunning G.F.A. Cup triumph against Ghajnsielem, Qala, as if trying to make up for lost time, quickly added another major honour by beating the champions, Nadur Youngsters 3-0, in the Super Cup final. The contest brought the 2007/08 Gozitan football season to an end.

So near, and yet so far
May 6
Ghajnsielem were twice within a couple of minutes from winning the G.F.A. Cup final against Qala S.J., only to see the maroons come back each time. Twice reprieved, Qala then beat the Blacks on penalties. Dominic Okanu put the Blacks ahead with a 40th minute penalty. Ghajnsielem missed one chance after the other to seal the win. Then with one minute to go, Andreas Fotso headed the ball past Victor Agius for the equalizer. In the 6th minute of the second half of extra time, Okanu restored the Blacks' lead. Charles Mercieca was sent off for a second yellow card. Two minutes from the end, Glenn Cefai controlled a short clearance and shot the ball past Agius for the definitive 2-2. In the shootout, Qala scored all their penalty shots; Joseph Buttigieg, Okanu, Martin Cremona and Victor Tavares converted their shots and Brian Meilak was the unlucky one, because his shot was blocked by Aktpan.

Blacks cut champions down to size
May 1
Ghajnsielem unceremoniously dumped newly crowned champions Nadur Youngsters out of the G.F.A. Cup, by beating them 2-1 this May Day at the Gozo Stadium. They will play Qala St. Joseph who defeated S.K. Victoria W. 3-2 in the other semi-final. Dominic Okanu and Victor Tavares turned the match around with two second half goals, after Nkwankwo Chidi Eric had given Nadur an undeserved lead.

De Andrade hat-trick sinks Blacks
April 27
Ghajnsielem lost to Sannat Lions 0-3 in the last match of the 07/08 league season. Ex-Blacks striker Fernando de Andrade scored all the goals for Sannat. The Blacks gave starts to several promising youngsters and rested some regulars for this match. Charles Mercieca returned to the side from a long absence due to knee ligament injury. In the season finale, champions Nadur Youngsters celebrated by beating their nearest rivals Victoria Hotspurs 1-0.

Blacks seal Blues' fate
April 24
Ghajnsielem beat Xaghra U. 3-0 in the Blacks' penultimate league game of the season. The result condemns Xaghra to second division football for 2008/09. Dominic Okanu (penalty), Jeremy Camilleri and John Camilleri scored the goals. Ghajnsielem will have a shot at leaping over Sannat L. into third place in their last game of the season on Sunday. Qala St. Joseph beat Kercem Ajax 1-0 to end the season in fifth place, clear of relegation. Kercem will play the runners-up of the second division (Xewkija Tigers or S.K. Victoria W.) in the promotion/relegation playoff.

Nadur Youngsters champions of Gozo
April 17
Nadur Youngsters beat Sannat Lions 4-1 to make sure of the 10th championship in their history. In a match played on Wednesday, Qala St. J. surprisingly lost to Xaghra U. 0-1, and thus failed to steer clear of relegation.

Blacks beat Ajax
April 13
Ghajnsielem beat Kercem A. 2-1 on Sunday to solidify their fourth position in the table and in the process made sure of their first division status. John Camilleri and Dominic Okanu scored for the Blacks. In the day's other match, Victoria H. edged Sannat L. 3-2 to keep their title hopes alive.

Blacks vs Ajax
April 12
Ghajnsielem look to bring to a halt their four game losing streak in their match against Kercem A. on Sunday. The midweek win for Kercem A. over Xaghra U. (4-2) and the surprising 2-2 draw earned by Qala St. J. against Nadur Y. meant that the Blacks are still not mathematically clear of 6th place.

Blacks pay the penalty
April 4
Ghajnsielem dropped their fourth match in a row, when they went down to Victoria Hotspurs 1-2. The Blacks took the lead early in the second half through Dominic Okanu. Ricardo Saverino scored twice from the penalty spot to lift Hotspurs to within three points of Nadur Y. In today's other match Qala St. Joseph crept closer to safety when they beat Sannat Lions 3-2.

Hotspurs win Jum il-Helsien Cup
March 31
Victoria Hotspurs made sure that there would be no Grand Slam for Nadur Youngsters this season by beating them 2-0 in the Jum il-Helsien Cup final.

Third consecutive championship within sight for Nadur
March 27
Nadur Youngsters moved closer to their third consecutive championship with a 5-2 win over Xaghra United. Nadur need four more points to clinch the tenth championship in their history.

Hotspurs stay in the hunt
March 26
Victoria Hotspurs beat Kercem Ajax 4-2 to keep their slim chance of catching the leaders Nadur Youngsters. With the loss Kercem remained embroiled in the relegation tussle.

Aimless Blacks drop another one
March 19
Ghajnsielem lost their match in a row, when they went down to Qala St. Joseph 0-2. Mario Mifsud from the penalty spot and Dione Lautier scored Qala's goals. Earlier in the day, Kercem Ajax surprised Sannat Lions and beat them 3-2. Yesterday Victoria Hotspurs defeated Xaghra United 5-2 to reclaim second place in the table.

Nadur Y. dismiss sad Blacks
March 19
Ghajnsielem, lost their third round opener against runaway leaders Nadur Y. 1-3. Chris Camilleri (2) and Nkwankwo Chidi Eric scored for Nadur. Dominic Okanu scored a consolation goal for Ghajnsielem from the penalty spot.

Lions leap into second place
March 16
Nadur Y. stretched their lead atop the G.F.A. First Division following the 3rd round opening matches. They edged Kercem A. 1-0, while Sannat L. overwhelmed Xaghra U. 3-0 and Victoria H. were held to a 2-2 draw by Qala St. J. Idle Ghajnsielem will open their 3rd round commitments with a match against the leaders Nadur, on Wednesday.

Blacks pushed further back by Nadur
March 2
Ghajnsielem let slip their last chance to haul themselves into the race for the league championship when they lost to league leaders, Nadur Youngsters 1-2. Instead of moving to within four points of the leaders, the Blacks slipped to ten points off the pace. The victory left the Youngsters perched on top, with clear daylight between them and their pursuers Victoria Hotspurs and Sannat Lions. Dominic Okanu scored for the Blacks. In today's other match, Kercem Ajax and Qala St. J. battled to a scoreless draw.

Lions drag back Hotspurs
February 24
Sannat Lions stayed in the hunt for the championship with a 4-1 win over second-place Victoria Hotspurs.

Nadur Youngsters back on track
February 21
Nadur Youngsters brought to halt a three-game winless streak with a 2-0 win over Xaghra United. The three points take them one point over Victoria Hotspurs at the top of the table. The result also took Nadur seven points beyond Ghajnsielem in the standings. So the Blacks' match against Nadur to close the second round will be the last chance saloon for Ghajnsielem as far as league honours are concerned.

Blacks join the chase with win over Kercem
February 17
Ghajnsielem beat Kercem Ajax 3-2 to join the four-team chase for the league title. Captain Joseph Buttigieg opened the score early in the match. Kercem equalized following a furious reaction on their part. Goals by Dominic Okanu and John Camilleri put Ghajnsielem in the clear before half-time. Kercem edged closer with a goal midway through the second half but Ghajnsielem held on for a crucial win. Earlier in the day Sannat Lions beat Qala St. Joseph 2-1 with two late goals. On Thursday, Victoria Hotspurs too left it late to secure the three points against Xaghra United. The win took them ahead of Nadur Youngsters at the top of the table. Nadur Youngsters have a game in hand over the other three contenders.

Shorthanded Blacks win
February 10
Ghajnsielem beat Qala St. J. early today with a goal scored late in the match by their new Portuguese signing Victor Tavares. This hard-fought victory is especially satisfying due to the enforced absence of Victor Agius (sick), Charles Mercieca (injured) and Jeremy Camilleri (injured). Among the replacements, goalkeeper Joseph Grech stood out with an error free performance, and a series of courageous interventions at the feet of Qala forwards. In the other first division match, Kercem Ajax stunned leaders Nadur Y. and beat them 1-0.

Sannat Lions keep their hopes alive
January 31
Sannat Lions kept their faint hopes of challenging for the league title alive when they beat Xaghra United 2-0.

Victoria Hotspurs back in the hunt
January 27
Victoria Hotspurs brought Nadur Youngsters' season long unbeaten streak to an end with a 4-1 win on Sunday. The result left Nadur in first place, with a narrow one point advantage over the Reds. The Youngsters have a game in hand. Sannat Lions kept their title hopes alive with a 3-1 win over bottom of the table Kercem Ajax.

Dinner in honour of the Supporters' Club
January 26
Yesterday the members of the Supporters' Club of Ghajnsielem F.C. as well as the ordinary members of the Club were treated to a complimentary dinner by the Committee as a thank you gesture for the great support which the members have always shown for our Club. The well organized event was held in the Hall of the Club and was enjoyed by all.  The members were entertained by music supplied by Aurelio Bugeja, Alfie Fabri as D.J. and by newcomer band  “Inner Grey”, who left a very good impression on all those present. Club P.R.O. Victor Xerri presented Paul Debono with an official Club Jacket in appreciation for his role in making the Supporters’ Club such a big success.   Club President Raymond Grech made a speech in which he commented about the current form of the first team, our plans for the rest of the season, and the great response that the people of Ghajnsielem showed to the establishment of the Supporters’ Club, which is a first for Gozo. An entertaining evening, enjoyed by all!!

Under/13 drop their second
January 20
Ghajnsielem's Under/13 side slumped to their second defeat when hey lost to Xaghra United 1-3.

Blacks suffer unexpected setback
January 15
Ghajnsielem missed a great opportunity to creep within touching distance of second place, when they suffered an unexpected reversal at the hands of Xaghra United. The Blacks conceded yet another late first half goal, and never really recovered. The final score was 0-2 in Xaghra's favour.

Nadur Y's record start halted
January 13
Ghajnsielem will have a chance to make up some ground in the league standings when they play Xaghra United on Tuesday. This because the teams around them all dropped points this weekend. Nadur Youngsters' record setting 7-game winning streak from the start of the season came to an end, when they drew 3-3 against 4th place Sannat L. 2nd placed Victoria H. could do no better than a 2-2 draw against Qala St. J. On Saturday, Ghajnsielem's Under/21 side lost to S,K, Victoria W. 2-3 (Charlon Tabone, Jerry Ogbuleke). On Sunday, the Blacks' Under/16 team lost to Oratory Youths 0-2. The Under/13 side beat St. Lawrence Spurs 4-1 (Luke Meilak, Brandon Spiteri, Damian Hili, Adrian Cordina).

Blacks and Reds feature in 3-3 thriller
January 8
Ghajnsielem and Victoria H. featured in an exciting 3-3 draw at the Gozo Stadium. Jeremy Camilleri opened the score. Bassi equalized for Victoria H. Ex-Xaghra United striker John Camilleri put the Blacks ahead. The Reds drew level from a Joseph Buttigieg own-goal. Ricardo Saverino gave Hotspurs their first lead. Debutant John Camilleri earned Ghajnsielem a point with his second. David Carabott, Ghajnsielem's other signing, marked his return to the Club with a typical performance on the Blacks' right.

courtesy www.gozofootball.net

Blacks and Reds to play on Tuesday
December 27
Ghajnsielem will play Victoria H. on Tuesday evening, January 8. The Blacks need to win the match to move closer to 2nd placed Hotspurs. The Victoria side will want to win to keep pace the 7-0-0 Nadur Youngsters, who beat Qala St. J. 1-0 on Thursday.

Galea wonder goal lifts Blacks
December 27
Ghajnsielem bounced back from the disappointment of the last two matches with a hard fought 1-0 win over Sannat Lions. Franklee Galea's first half goal gave Ghajnsielem the all-important lead. Victor Agius preserved the victory with a series of scintillating second half saves. The Blacks leapfrogged the Lions into 3rd place.

courtesy www.gozofootball.net

Kercem, Xaghra and Qala in a quagmire
December 23
Victoria Hotspurs beat lowly Kercem Ajax 3-2 and Xaghra United and Qala St. Joseph drew 1-1 in the opening two matches of the second round of league play. The results keep Hotspurs in the chase for league honours and keep the other three teams mired in relegation trouble. Ghajnsielem's Under/13 side beat Oratory Youths 5-0. Luke Meilak (2), Brandon Spiteri (2) and Damian Hili scored the goals.

Blacks 10 points adrift of the Youngsters
December 20
Ghajnsielem succumbed to the unbeaten and untied Nadur Youngsters 1-2 in a Thursday evening match at the Gozo Stadium. The only satisfaction for the Blacks was a consolation goal from an otherwise ineffective Haruna Doda, a goal that brought to a halt Jonathan Xuereb's season long shutout streak.

courtesy www.gozofootball.net

Blacks bid to interrupt Youngsters' march
December 20
Ghajnsielem play Nadur Youngsters later today in the last match of the first round of league play. In yesterday's match, which had been postponed on Sunday, Kercem Ajax and Qala St. Joseph drew 1-1. The two teams closed their first round commitments mired in relegation trouble.

Stalemate
December 16
The two teams in hot pursuit of leaders Nadur Youngsters, Victoria Hotspurs an Sannat Lions, battled to a scoreless draw at the Gozo Stadium. This means that Nadur are guaranteed to end the calendar year, and the 1st round of the league, in sole possession of first place. Only Ghajnsielem stand in the way of a perfect 6-0-0 record for the reigning champions. In what promises to be the match of the opening round, the Blacks will try to halt the Youngsters' pursuit of perfection, this Thursday evening. On Wednesday, Qala St. Joseph and Kercem Ajax will face-off against each other: the teams' objective will be steer clear of the relegation zone. Ghajnsielem's Under/13 side drew against Victoria Hotspurs 2-2 (Brandon Spiteri, o.g.).

Blacks throw away two points
December 13
Ghajnsielem could manage no better than a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table side Kercem Ajax. Larry Buttigieg put the Blacks ahead in the second half, but Kercem equalized late in the match. The result left the Blacks seven points adrift of leaders Nadur Youngsters who cruised to their fifth win on the trot by beating Xaghra United 2-0. Ghajnsielem's Under/16 side beat St. Lawrence Spurs 4-1. Ferdinand Apap, Gabriel Cordina, Joshuel Grech and Kenny Hili scored the goals.

Lions and Hotspurs register wins
December 6
Victoria Hotspurs edged past lowly Xaghra United by a goal to nil. The three points took them back to the top of the table, equal on points with Nadur Youngsters. The reigning champions have a game in hand. Sannat Lions plunged Qala St. Joseph into a mini-crisis with a 6-1 trouncing. Sannat leapfrogged the idle Blacks in the league table.

Under/13 romp
December 2
Ghajnsielem's Under/13 side romped to an 8-0 win over Kercem Ajax. Ascanio Bajada (2), Adrian Cordina (2), Carl Scicluna, Rodlyn Azzopardi, William Vella (o.g.) and Atoine Azzopardi (o.g.) scored the goals. The Under/21 side drew 1-1 against Qala St. Joseph. Charlon Tabone scored for the Blacks from the penalty spot.

Blacks solve Qala puzzle
November 25
Ghajnsielem moved up the table, closer to the leaders, with a 5-1 win over Qala St. Joseph. Joseph Attard, Haruna Doda (2)(p), Shannon Vassallo and Charlon Tabone scored for the Blacks. Nadur Youngsters moved into sole possession of first place, with a comfortable 4-0 win over Kercem Ajax. Ghajnsielem's Under/13 side beat S.K. Victoria W. 1-0. Luke Meilak was the scorer.

Blacks return to action
November 23
After a long hiatus, Ghajnsielem return to action this Sunday with a league match against Qala St. Joseph. The Blacks need to win to keep pace with the champions Nadur Youngsters, who have made a fast start to the season. The Youngsters are not expected to slip in the second match of the afternoon, against Kercem Ajax.

Worrisome slump
November 17
Ghajnsielem's Under/21 side slumped to its second defeat of the season in as many games, when the Blacks lost to Kercem Ajax 0-2. Earlier in the month they succumbed to Xaghra United 0-1.

Relentless Youngsters march on
November 15
Champions Nadur Youngsters signalled their intent to hold on to their crown of champions with a narrow 1-0 victory over early first division pace setters, Victoria Hotspurs. In the second match of a twi-night doubleheader at the freshly re-surfaced Gozo Stadium, Sannat Lions hammered Xaghra United 7-1.

Mixed fortunes for our youth teams
November 11
Ghajnsielem's Under/16 team followed up their 6-0 drubbing of Sannat L. (Jason Vella, Kenny Hili 3, Gabriel Cordina 2) earlier this season, with a 4-0 neating of Nadur Y. Ferdinand Apap scored twice, and Larry Debono and Kenny Hili added one apiece. The Under/13 team could not emulate their senior colleagues, and fell down to the Youngsters 0-3. The Under/13 team also kicked off their season with a mauling of Sannat L. (Luke Mielak 2, Adrian Cordina, Carl Scicluna, Damian Hili).

Qala St. J. and S.K. Victoria W. complete the set of G.F.A. Cup semi-finalists
November 4
Qala St. Joseph beat second division side Zebbug Rovers 1-0 and S.K. Victoria W. beat Oratory Youths 3-1 in the two remaining quarter-final ties of the G.F.A. Cup. Today's winners will join Nadur Youngsters and Ghajnsielem in their quest for the Cup when the competition resumes in May of next year. Ghajnsielem's youngest, the Under/11 side participated in a quadrangular tournament at the Nadur ground and emerged from it with flying colours. They rebounded from an 0-2 loss to the hosts Nadur Y., by beating Qala St. J. 1-0 and joint top side Xaghra U. 6-3.