Black & White 2010

Volume 10, Issue No. 2 February 2010

BLACK & WHITE

2

Black & White 2010

Contributors Loreto Scicluna, writing

Joseph Sultana, photography

Paul Stellini, artwork, design consultancy

Some material was published originally on www.ghajnsielem.com

Copyright 2010 Loreto Scicluna and Joseph Sultana for their contributions to this publication.

3

Black & White 2010

Club honours

Zammit Cup

1936

League Champions

1969/70, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1973/74

2004/05

G.F.A. Cup Winners

1973/74, 1986/87, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07

Independence Cup Winners

1965/66, 1969/70, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1987/88

2002/03

Super Cup Winners

1998/99, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04

Jum il-Helsien Cup Winners

1981/82, 2000/01

Second Division Champions

1963/64, 1965/66, 1981/82, 1984/85, 1998/99

Esso Cup Winners

1958/59, 1970/71, 1971/72

Galea Cup Winners

1966/67, 1967/68, 1969/70, 1972/73

British American Ins. Cup Winners

1969/70, 1970/71, 1971/72

Cutajar Cup Winners

1959/60

N.S.B. Cup Winners

1973/74

N.A.T.O. Cup Winners

1979/80

President’s Cup Winners

1982/83

Good Conduct Cup Winners

1966/67, 1988/89, 1992/93, 2005/06

Contents issue 2

04 president’s welcome President Mr. Sammy Rapa pre-match message.

05 phil slater, exclusive column Assistant coach Phil Slater’s column.

06 the black & white The cover of past editions of the Black & White magazine.

08 match action & being there Photos and match report from our clash against Kercem A.

12 fixtures, results & line-ups All the 2009/10 fixtures, results, line-ups and scorers.

16 the numbers game All the 2009/10 facts and figures you need to know.

17 youths update A roundup of the Club’s other teams.

18 the blacks’ story The Galea Cup win in 1966 against Victoria Hotspurs.

20 head-to-head Introducing our next opponents, Sannat L. and Xewkija T.

24 meet the blacks We profile veteran Brian Meilak.

26 the blacks fan zone The Blacks die-hards at the Sannat Ground and Gozo Stadium.

VOLUME

10 74 YEARS

4

Black & White 2010

Gheziez kollegi,

Nibda biex insellem lill-players, lill-coaches, membri tal-Kumitat, u intom tifosi tal-Blacks ghall-mod sportiv li wrejtu nhar il-Hadd fil-loghba tant kombattuta kontra Kercem Ajax. Urejna min ahna u bi sportivita` kuragguza irnexxielna niksbu rebha ohra importanti fil-Kampjonat.

Pero importanti nifhmu li ghad hemm hafna loghob ghad-disposizzjoni taghna u allura hemm bzonn ta` iktar koncentrazzjoni u support minn kull min ghandu ghal qalbu t-team taghna. Ghaldaqstant, irridu nuru kull maturita` fil-loghba li jmiss kontra c-Champions renjanti, Sannat Lions. Niehu l-opportunita` inheggigkom sabiex taghtu kull support lill-benjamini taghkom. Perswaz li bis-support taghkom, hbieb tieghi, kapaci nimxu flimkien il-mixja li twassalna flimkien ghal skop uniku.

Filwaqt li nselli ghalikom, nirringrazzjakom minn qalbi, u niltaqghu nhar il-Hamis fil-Gozo Stadium.

Sammy Rapa

President, Ghajnsielem F.C.

5

Black & White 2010

I was asked last week to prepare an article for this magazine and it is both with honour and pride that I do so.

Let me very quickly provide some details about my past.

I was born in an Industrial town in the north of England. The town was a main centre for coal-mining and steels works. It was a very tough area and its people were generally quite poor and possessed only the very basic essentials for a simple, yet hard working and honest life style.

In 1972, I joined the Police Force and served therein for 32 years, until my retirement just over 6 years ago. For 20 years I was a mem-ber of a Murder Squad, which of course, dealt solely with crimes of murder. You can imag-ine, I’m sure, the horrors and sadness that I was confronted with and there is little point in this article, entering into all the graphic details of murder cases.

My interest, experience and expertise in Pathological matters increased, particularly within the field of “Trauma Injury” (Bullet and knife wounds mainly) and with the help of Police sponsorship, I obtained a Police Di-ploma Doctorate Degree in Forensic Pathol-ogy.

Whilst my title “Doctor” appears on my Passport and Driving Licence, I think it a little conceited to use it in every day life. I prefer to be called just plain ‘Phil’.

I had football trials as a 15 year old at Hud-dersfield Town, Newcastle and Aston Villa and prior to joining the Police I was offered an Apprentice Pro place at Aston Villa but my mind was made up….it was the Police for me.

I played for the British Police team as well as a few non league clubs in England and finished playing in 1995. During my playing days I undertook an FA coaching course and ob-tained a coaching qualification.

Tragedy struck my personal life 7 years ago and the dream of retirement abroad that my wife and I had jointly held was shattered. Only last year did I feel sufficiently strong to undertake our dream, but sadly, on my own.

After much research and travelling I decided to live in Ghajnsielem on Gozo. I had never even been to Gozo before! So it was a very nervous person who arrived here on 15th July 2009, not knowing anyone.

I introduced myself at the football club and very quickly I was appointed coach for the U/14’s squad. Let me state quite clearly, my

gratitude to that group of boys, who, despite a few minor hiccups, have gone on to become a very good football team and more impor-tantly for me, to become my very special friends.

Then I was requested to ‘help out’ with the coaching for the 1st team. We are, just now, reaching our full potential. We do have a very realistic chance of winning the championship but at the moment we need to keep our feet on the ground, work hard and take each match as it comes. We will take nothing for granted and I personally, will give 150% effort and commitment to our cause.

Coaching with the 1st team brought me into contact with Alex Spiteri who has since be-come a valued and trusted friend. Regarding Alex, I want to say this to all of you:- Whether we win the championship or finish bottom of the league, the village of Ghajnsielem will never find a man with so much enthusiasm, loyalty and dedication to it’s football club.

Recently, I have undertaken to attempt to form a ladies team. There is a league on Gozo for ladies and what pride it would cause if our new team could be champions next season. They have a long way to go yet to reach the required standard but they have been a pleas-ure to work with. They respond to all aspects of training and are improving rapidly. The lady “Blacks” are on the march!

Ghajnsielem is a special place for me. I can’t give you a good reason why, but it is already in my heart. Make no mistake, my blood already flows “black & white” and, God willing, I intend to be around for many years to come, maintaining an input into both the football club and the village community provid-ing that is, that the football club and village want me to do so. So many people have been unbelievably kind to me. The list is too big to name them all but through this article may I say to you all “Thank you from the bottom of my heart” for the manner in which you have both wel-comed and accepted me.

Come on you Blacks!!

Phil Slater

phil slater exclusive column

6

Black & White 2010

the BLACK & WHITE through the years

7

Black & White 2010

8

Black & White 2010

ghajnsielem f.c. 2 Alex Simoncic, Rodrigo Cariaga

kercem ajax 1 Joseph Debrincat

G.F.A. First Division, Second Rd.

Match played at the Gozo Stadium

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Referee, Clayton Pisani

9

Black & White 2010

Ghajnsielem F.C.: 30 Joseph Grech, 3 Ferdinando Apap, 4 David Debattista 5 Alex Simoncic, 6 Joseph Buttigieg (c), 7 Brian Meilak, 9 Joseph Attard, 10 Rodrigo Cariaga 15 Martin Cremona, Stefan Azzopardi (2 Robert Grima), 18 Thiago dos Santos.

10

Black & White 2010

Ghajnsielem F.C. edged Ker-cem Ajax 2-1 in a tricky en-counter that even at this junc-ture of the season could have compromised the Blacks’ title aspirations. The numerous Blacks supporters at the Gozo Stadium had their eyes focused on one-time nemesis, Alex Si-moncic, the transfer window signing from Nadur Y. The new number 5 in Ghajnsielem’s Starting XI, unfazed by the ex-tra attention, did what he probably expected to do: he led the Blacks to victory. Part of the Serbian midfielder’s reper-toire will only be in display in the coming outings, when the forwards and the supporting midfielders get used to his superior vision and passing range. The team will only benefit from his leader-ship when he feels comfortable enough in the Club to fully assert himself. Everyone in the Blacks’ camp, however, expected Simoncic to demonstrate his dead ball expertise from day one. And Simoncic did just that. He shot the Blacks into the lead with a goal direct from an angled free-kick to the left of Donald Gauci. He nearly scored from long range again direct from a free-kick but the ball just cleared the Ker-cem bar. In the second half, two mir-ror images of these two set pieces brought good saves out of the Kercem goalkeeper. Simoncic also takes charge of most corner-kicks, including all the kicks taken from Ghajnsielem’s right. These corner-kicks had a certain menace to them and Ghajnsielem looked like they would convert one of these as well, which of course they did, when they needed the goal most. Ghajnsielem’s narrow lead had vanished twenty min-utes into the second half. Joseph De-brincat’s delicate shot from distance soared over Joseph Grech then dipped behind him and into the net as the Ghajnsielem faithful watched in disbelief.

Three minutes later Ghajnsielem won a corner-kick. Simoncic’s cross was met by Rodrigo Cariaga who beat Gauci with a glancing header. This match was not all about Simoncic, but before we move on, there is one other intangible that the Serbian packed in his bag and brought with him to the Club. This is the extra gear. Ghajnsielem dominated the first half and were good value for their lead. They conceded the initiative to their opponents in the open-ing stages of the second half. Ghajnsielem were never seriously threatened by Kercem and seemed con-tent to control proceedings rather than go on an all-out offensive, commit men forward in a bid to close the match. Debrincat’s equalizer was the cue for Simoncic to use the extra gear. Within two minutes of Kercem’s goal Simoncic exchanged passes with Thiago dos San-tos and just like that the Brazilian was clear through face-to-face with Gauci. His shot thundered back into play off the Kercem crossbar. One minute later, it was Joseph Attard’s turn to go one-on-one with the Kercem goalkeeper. Attard gave Gauci too much time and the latter sped off his line to block At-tard’s shot. Attard kept the ball in play. He set up Cariaga just inside the Ker-

cem penalty area and the Argentinean’s shot was blocked to the corner which produced the winning goal. Ghajnsielem forced the issue and until they obtained what they wanted they did not relent. These are the new Blacks. Simoncic has made a sudden impact. With their one goal lead restored, Ghajnsielem dropped down a gear and they were nearly made to pay when Kercem struck the post to the left of Grech in the 28th minute of the second half. The Blacks survived this scare. Al-though Ghajnsielem’s lead was not in serious jeopardy, Kercem, playing in blue shirts instead of their traditional hori-zontal green and white hoops, enjoyed territorial supremacy. This did not sit well with the supporters, most of whom were on the edge of the new blue seats installed on the Ghajnsielem side of the Gozo Stadium, shaking in fear of a nasty surprise, such as a late Kercem goal. Until Simoncic and company pull the chestnuts out of the fire with some late match heroics the Ghajnsielem support-ers cannot be blamed for clamouring for more goals and bigger leads. The relief in the stands at the end of the match was palpable. Ghajnsielem had negotiated their way past this fixture and

being there

Above, Joseph Grech clears the danger; on the opposite page: top, Rodrigo Cariaga wheels away as he scores the winner; bottom: Ferdinando Apap joins the attack on a Blacks corner.

11

Black & White 2010

can look forward to the two matches that close the second round with the knowledge that they will have their full squad available for selection. Coach Alex Spiteri had three important ele-ments in his squad missing for this one: Franklee Galea and Kenneth Mercieca were serving their one-match ban and Glenn Cefai was out of the country. David Debattista took Cefai’s spot in central defence, where he partnered the veteran Martin Cremona, himself a serious doubt before the match due to a knock. The shoo-in for G.F.A. most promising player and serious con-tender for G.F.A. footballer of the year, Ferdinando Apap, was as usual the stopper’s safety net. All three defenders played very well. Having said that their job became easier when one-time Black, Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro, left the match injured in the first half. Furthermore, the Blacks’ defence has failed for the 10th time in as many league matches to keep a clean-sheet. This is a worrying statistic for a Club dreaming of finishing the season high up there in the standings. Brian Meilak and Simoncic were Ghajnsielem’s central midfielders. Stefan Azzopardi played wide right in place of Meilak. Joseph Buttigieg played wide left. The 3-4-3 (or 3-4-2-1) setup left Ghajnsielem’s flanks dangerously ex-posed and Kercem might have had more joy in this clash had they ganged up on Azzopardi or Buttigieg, both of whom had large swathes of Gozo Stadium to patrol on their own. Joseph Attard joined Cariaga, now wearing number 10, behind dos Santos. Although every single Black played well in this match, and all can look back proudly on some fine personal moments, the attack was not as explosive as it has been in some of Ghajnsielem’s recent matches. Dos Santos in particular seemed subdued and he failed to reward the supporters with that piece of magic he seems to conjure in every outing. Credit must go to Kercem’s defence who operated on the premise that if you want to stop the Blacks, you had to stop dos Santos. They were determined to foil Ghajnsielem’s top scorer, and

they succeeded, only to be undone by Simoncic and his set pieces. The Blacks’ set-up was adventurous enough and led to a first half that saw Ghajnsielem manufacture three clear goal scoring opportunities in addition to the danger that came with the Simoncic set plays referred to above. Dos Santos should have done better all alone in front of Gauci, Cariaga nearly scored on another occasion and Attard hit the Kercem woodwork. Joseph Grech saved his team when a Kercem forward was sent through. Ghajnsielem’s best moments came in the first half. They produced very little in the

second half. Meilak and Simoncic tried to break the monotony with efforts from outside the penalty area. Their well-taken shots missed high. In terms of cleverly constructed manoeuvres one had to look towards Ghajnsielem’s right side. Cariaga worked his way to the bye-line in the tenth minute but Attard failed to connect with his low, hard cross. In injury time, Simoncic switched play to Robert Grima who had come on for Azzopardi in the 71st minute. Grima then served Cariaga down the right channel. Cariaga invited dos Santos to keep his 4-game scoring streak alive. The Brazilian’s shot was blocked. Moments later the referee blew the final whistle and sent the Blacks momentarily into a first-place tie with Victoria Hotspurs.

12

Black & White 2010

The third round fixtures will be determined by the standings at the end of two rounds. The final game of the season will be a clash between the teams that placed 1st and 2nd respectively after two rounds.

The last-placed team will be relegated outright. The 6th placed team will play-off against the runners-up of the second division.

fixtures & results G.F.A. First Division 2009/10 Results

1st Round

20/09/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. 0, S.K. Victoria W. 1

20/09/09 Xewkija Tigers 0, Nadur Youngsters 1

27/09/09 Kercem Ajax 0, Sannat Lions 2

01/10/09 Victoria Hotspurs 3, Ghajnsielem F.C. 5

04/10/09 S.K. Victoria W. 3, Xewkija Tigers 1

11/10/09 Nadur Youngsters 5, Kercem Ajax 1

17/10/09 Sannat Lions 0, Victoria Hotspurs 2

18/10/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. 3, Nadur Youngsters 4

18/10/09 S.K. Victoria W. 0, Kercem Ajax 1

24/10/09 Xewkija Tigers 1, Sannat Lions 2

25/10/09 Nadur Youngsters 0, Victoria Hotspurs 3

25/10/09- Kercem Ajax 2, Ghajnsielem F.C. 3

07/11/09 Victoria Hotspurs 0, Xewkija Tigers 2

08/11/09 S.K. Victoria W. 2, Nadur Youngsters 1

08/11/09 Sannat Lions 1, Ghajnsielem F.C. 1

14/11/09 Xewkija Tigers 0, Kercem Ajax 4

15/11/09 Victoria Hotspurs 1, S.K. Victoria W. 0

15/11/09 Nadur Youngsters 6, Sannat Lions 2

22/11/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. 2, Xewkija Tigers 4

27/11/09 Sannat Lions 2, S.K. Victoria W. 2

29/11/09 Kercem Ajax 0, Victoria Hotspurs 5

2nd Round

06/12/09 S.K. Victoria W. 2, Ghajnsielem F.C. 6

06/12/09 Nadur Youngsters 1, Xewkija Tigers 1

13/12/09 Sannat Lions 2, Kercem Ajax 2

13/12/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. 2, Victoria Hotspurs 2

20/12/09 Xewkija Tigers 2, S.K. Victoria W. 1

27/12/09 Kercem Ajax 2, Nadur Youngsters 2

27/12/09 Victoria Hotspurs 2, Sannat Lions 1

03/01/10 Nadur Youngsters 1, Ghajnsielem F.C. 2

03/01/10 Kercem Ajax 2, S.K. Victoria W. 0

07/01/10 Sannat Lions 3, Xewkija Tigers 0

10/01/10 Victoria Hotspurs 1, Nadur Youngsters 1

17/01/10 S.K. Victoria W. 6, Sannat Lions 2

24/01/10 Ghajnsielem F.C. 2, Kercem Ajax 1

24/01/10 Xewkija Tigers 0, Victoria Hotspurs 5

31/01/10 Nadur Youngsters 1, S.K. Victoria W. 1

04/02/10 Ghajnsielem F.C. vs Sannat Lions

07/02/10 Kercem Ajax vs Xewkija Tigers

07/02/10 S.K. Victoria W. vs Victoria Hotspurs

10/02/10 Sannat Lions vs Nadur Youngsters

2nd Round (continued)

10/02/10 Xewkija Tigers vs Ghajnsielem F.C.

21/02/10 Victoria Hotspurs vs Kercem Ajax

First Division Standings

P W D L F A P

Victoria Hotspurs 10 6 2 2 24 10 20

Ghajnsielem F.C. 10 5 2 3 26 21 17

Nadur Youngsters 11 4 4 3 23 18 16

S.K. Victoria W. 11 4 2 5 18 19 14

Sannat Lions 10 3 3 4 17 22 12

Kercem Ajax 10 4 2 4 15 21 11

Xewkija Tigers 10 3 1 6 10 22 10

3rd Round

25/02/10 6 vs 1

28/02/10 3 vs 5

04/03/10 7 vs 2

07/03/10 1 vs 4

11/03/10 2 vs 5

14/03/10 3 vs 6

14/03/10 4 vs 7

19/03/10 2 vs 6

25/03/10 1 vs 5

28/03/10 7 vs 3

03/04/10 2 vs 4

04/04/10 5 vs 6

04/04/10 1 vs 7

08/04/10 2 vs 3

11/04/10 4 vs 6

15/04/10 5 vs 7

18/04/10 1 vs 3

22/04/10 4 vs 5

24/04/10 6 vs 7

25/04/10 3 vs 4

25/04/10 1 vs 2

13

Black & White 2010

Ghajnsielem F.C. squad

A GL

Apap, Ferdinando 12 1

Attard II, Joseph 10 2

Aurelio Ribeiro, Marcos 1

Azzopardi, Stefan 7 1

Buttigieg II, Larry 1

Buttigieg, Joseph 12

Camilleri, Jeremy 1

Cariaga, Rodrigo 11 3

Cefai, Glenn 5

Cremona, Martin 4

Debattista, David 7

Debono, Larry 2

dos Santos, Thiago 11 8

Galea, Franklee 10

Grech II, Joseph 10

Grima, Errol 7 2

Grima, Robert 11

Meilak, Brian 12 1

Meilak, Shaun 2

Mercieca, Kenneth 10 6

Sammut, Richard 2

Simoncic, Alex 1 1

Tabone, Charlon 2 1

Vassallo, Robert 1

Vella, Jason 1

Own-goals

Borg, Noel 1

Sultana, Steve 1

A=Appearances

GL=Goals

CUP COMPETITIONS

Independence Cup

Quarter-finals

06/09/09 S.K. Victoria W. 4, Xewkija Tigers 1

06/09/09 Nadur Youngsters 3, Ghajnsielem F.C. 0 a.e.t.

08/09/09 Kercem Ajax 3, Sannat Lions 5

Semi-finals

13/09/09 Victoria Hotspurs 1, S.K. Victoria W. 0

13/09/09 Nadur Youngsters 2, Sannat Lions 4

Final

21/09/09 Victoria Hotspurs 7, Sannat Lions 0

2nd Division Knockout

Quarter-finals

05/09/09 Munxar Falcons 1(3), Oratory Y. 1(5) pen

05/09/09 St. Laurence Spurs 0, Zebbug Rovers 1

08/09/09 Qala St. Joseph 2, Gharb Rangers 0

Semi-finals

12/09/09 Oratory Youths 1, Xaghra United 0

12/09/09 Zebbug Rovers 1, Qala St. Joseph 4

Final

21/09/09 Qala St. Joseph 3, Oratory Youths 1

G.F.A. Cup

Preliminary round

15/10/09 Zebbug Rovers 2, Gharb Rangers 1

19/11/09 Nadur Youngsters 2, Kercem Ajax 3

26/11/09 Munxar Falcons 0, Xewkija Tigers 5

08/12/09 Oratory Youths 1, Qala St. Joseph 0

17/12/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. 2, St. Laurence S. 1

TBD Victoria Hotspurs vs Xaghra United

Quarter-finals

28/04/10

29/04/10

01/05/10

01/05/10

Semi-finals

09/05/10

09/05/10

Final

13/05/10

Jum il-Helsien Cup Final

31/03/09 1st placed 1st Division vs 2nd placed 1st Division

Super Cup Final

TBD 1st Division champions vs G.F.A. Cup winners

Challenge Cup Final

TBD 2nd Division champions vs 2nd Division K.O. winners

Club leading scorers dos Santos, Thiago 8

Mercieca, Kenneth 6

Cariaga, Rodrigo 3

Attard II, Joseph 2

Grima, Errol 2

Apap, Ferdinando 1

Azzopardi, Stefan 1

Meilak, Brian 1 Simoncic, Alex 1

Tabone, Charlon 1

Own-goals

Borg, Noel 1

Sultana, Steve 1

14

Black & White 2010

DATE CLUB VENUE SCORE STARTING XI

Sep 06/09 Nadur Y. (Ind) Sannat 0-3 a.e.t. Grech Cremona Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Sep 20/09 S.K. Vic. W. Sannat 0-1 Grech R. Grima Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Oct 1/09 Victoria H. Sannat 5-3 Grech R. Grima Apap Cariaga 1 J. Buttigieg

Oct 18/09 Nadur Y. Sannat 3-4 Grech R. Grima Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Oct 25/09 Kercem A. Sannat 3-2 Sammut R. Grima Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Nov 08/09 Sannat L. Sannat 1-1 Grech Cefai Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Nov 22/09 Xewkija T. Gozo Stadium 2-4 Grech Cefai Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Dec 06/09 S.K. Vic. W. Gozo Stadium 6-2 Grech R. Grima Apap Cariaga 1p J. Buttigieg

Dec 13/09 Victoria H. Gozo Stadium 2-2 Grech R. Grima Apap Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Dec 17/09 St. L. S. (GFA) Sannat 2-1 Sammut R. Grima Apap Tabone 1 J. Buttigieg

Jan 03/10 Nadur Y. Gozo Stadium 2-1 Grech Debattista Apap 1 Cariaga J. Buttigieg

Jan 24/10 Kercem A. Gozo Stadium 2-1 Grech Cremona Apap Cariaga 1 J. Buttigieg

Feb 04/10 Sannat L. Gozo Stadium

Feb 10/10 Xewkija T. Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA TBA Gozo Stadium

TBA GFA Q/F Gozo Stadium

P Penalty goal

R Red Card

Substitutions in bold

line-ups

15

Black & White 2010

USED SUBSTITUTES

B. Meilak Mercieca L. Buttigieg Aurelio Attard Galea Camilleri E. Grima R. Grima

B. Meilak Mercieca Dos Santos E. Grima Attard Galea S. Meilak

B. Meilak Mercieca 1 D. Santos 1 E. Grima 1 Attard 1 Galea Azzopardi S. Meilak

B. Meilak Mercieca 1 D. Santos E. Grima Attard 1 Galea o.g. 1

B. Meilak Mercieca D. Santos 2 E. Grima 1 Attard Galea Debattista Azzopardi

B. Meilak 1 Mercieca D. Santos E. Grima Attard Galea Debattista R. Grima

B. Meilak Mercieca 1 D. Santos E. Grima Attard Galea Debattista R. Grima Azzopardi 1

B. Meilak Mercieca 3 R D. Santos 2 Azzopardi Debattista Galea Debono Tabone

B. Meilak Cefai D. Santos 1 Azzopardi Cremona Galea Attard Debattista o.g. 1

B. Meilak Mercieca D. Santos 1 Cefai Attard Vella Vassallo Azzopardi Debono

B. Meilak Mercieca R D. Santos 1 Cefai Cremona Galea R

B. Meilak Simoncic 1 D. Santos Azzopardi Attard Debattista Grima

2009/2010

16

Black & White 2010

(a) Record equalled by Victoria H. in 04/05; (b) Other winless teams (e.g. Victoria H. 0/18 in 04/05, St. Laurence S. 0/14 in 94/95); (c) Other teams without a draw (e.g. St. Laurence S. and Xewkija T. 0/14 in 94/95,, Kercem A. 0/14 in 00/01); (d) 21 other undefeated teams played less than 14; (e) Salesian Y. conceded 1 goal in the 3 matches that gave them the title in 58/59; (f) Also pointless were Xewkija T. in 46/47 0/4, Xewkija T. in 54/55 0/2, Xaghra Blue Stars 56/57 0/6 and Xewkija U. 57/58 0/3; (g) record equalled in 85/86 by Gharb/St. Laurence; (h) record equalled in 94/95 by St. Laurence S.; (i) record equalled in 72/73 by Oratory Y., in 81/82 by Victoria H., in 82/83 by Victoria H., in 00/01 by Zebbug R.; (j)i record equalled in 76/77 by Sannat L., in 86/87 by Calypsian B. Y., in 89/90 by Sannat L.

the numbers game G.F.A. Records (top tier, single season)

2009/10 highs/lows All-time record highs/lows 18-match format highs/lows

Most wins Victoria Hotspurs 6 Ghajnsielem F.C. 15/18 04/05 Ghajnsielem F.C. 15 04/05

Most draws Nadur Youngsters 4 Ghajnsielem F.C. 10/12 76/77 Ghajnsielem F.C. 9 06/07

Most losses Xewkija Tigers 6 Oratory Youths 19/20 74/75 Qala St. Joseph 14a 02/03

Most goals for Ghajnsielem F.C. 26 Ghajnsielem F.C. 57/18 04/05 Ghajnsielem F.C. 57 04/05

Most goals against Sannat L./Xewkija T. 22 Oratory Youths 97/20 74/75 Xaghra United 56 04/05

Most points Victoria Hotspurs 20 Ghajnsielem F.C. 47/18 04/05 Ghajnsielem F.C. 47 04/05

Most shutouts for Victoria Hotspurs 5 Xewkija Tigers 13/20 74/75 Nadur Youngsters 10 02/03

Most shutouts against Xewkija Tigers 4 Nadur Athletics 13/20g 74/75 Ghajnsielem F.C. 10 05/06

Least wins Xewkija/Sannat/Kercem 3 Oratory Youths 0/20b 74/75 Victoria Hotspurs 0 04/05

Least draws Xewkija Tigers 1 Xewkija Tigers 0/18c 04/05 Xewkija Tigers 0 04/05

Least losses Victoria Hotspurs 2 Xaghra United 0/14d 92/93 Ghajnsielem F.C. 1 04/05

Least goals for Xewkija Tigers 10 Kercem Ajax 0/12 77/78 Qala St. Joseph 9 02/03

Least goals against Victoria Hotspurs 10 Sannat Lions 1/12e 77/78 Nadur Youngsters 9 02/03

Least points Xewkija Tigers 10 St. Laurence S. 0/14f 94/95 Victoria Hotspurs 4 04/05

Least shutouts for Ghajnsielem F.C. 0 Oratory Youths 0/20 74/75 Qala St. Joseph 0a 02/03

Least shutouts against Several 1 Ghajnsielem/NY 0/18 04/05 Ghajnsielem/Nadur 0 04/05

2009/10 high scores All-time record scores

Largest win (margin) 19/11/09 VH vs KA 5-0; 24/01/10 VH vs XT 5-0 10/02/57 Salesian Youths vs Xaghra B.S. 11-0

High score draw 2-2 on several occasions 4-4 on several occasions

Aggregate 01/10/09 Ghajnsielem F.C. vs Victoria H. 5-3 (8) 15/04/45 Victoria A. vs Nadur Ram. 11-2 (13)

15/11/09 Nadur Y. vs Sannat L. 6-2 (8)

17/01/10 S.K. Victoria W. vs Sannat L. 6-2 (8)

2009/10 streaks All-time record streaks

Longest win streak Nadur Youngsters 3 Ghajnsielem F.C. 11 04/05

Longest losing streak S.K.V.W./Xewkija 3 Oratory Youths 14h 74/75

Consecutive draws Nadur/Sannat/Kercem 2 (Nadur active, twice) Nadur Youngsters 5i 71/72

Unbeaten streak Victoria Hotspurs 6 active Xewkija Tigers 18 74/75

Winless streak SKVW/Sannat/Nadur 5 (Nadur active) Oratory Youths 20 74/75

Run without a draw Several 6 Nadur Athletics 19 74/75

Shutouts for Victoria Hotspurs 2 twice Victoria United 7j 74/75

Shutouts against Xewkija Tigers 2 active Kercem Ajax 12 77/78

No shutout against Ghajnsielem F.C. 9 active Ghajnsielem F.C./Nadur Y. 18 04/05

No shutout for Ghajnsielem/Nadur 10 active 20 74/75 Oratory Youths

17

Black & White 2010

YOUTHS UPDATE

Under/17 vs Kercem Ajax 12-1 Larry Debono 2, Jason Vella 2, Franco Buttigieg 3, Carmel Vella 2, Carl Scicluna 2, Robert Vassallo vs Oratory Youths 1-3 Larry Debono vs S.K. Victoria W. 3-1 Larry Debono, Jason Vella, Carmel Vella vs Xaghra United 3-0 Larry Debono 2, Adrian Cordina vs Nadur Youngsters 1-3 Jason Vella vs Victoria Hotspurs 0-4 vs St. Laurence Spurs w/o win

Leading Scorers Larry Debono 6 Jason Vella 4 Franco Buttigieg 3 Carmel Vella 3 Carl Scicluna 2 Adrian Cordina 1 Robert Vassallo 1

Under/21 vs Xaghra United 0-3 vs Kercem Ajax 1-1 Charlon Tabone vs Sannat Lions 2-2 Larry Debono, Stefan Azzopardi vs Qala St. Joseph 4-0 Ferdinando Apap 2, Robert Vassallo, Shaun Meilak vs Xaghra United 3-2 Robert Vassallo 2, Justin Buttigieg

Leading scorers Robert Vassallo 3 Ferdinando Apap 2 Stefan Azzopardi 1 Justin Buttigieg 1 Larry Debono 1 Shaun Meilak 1 Charlon Tabone 1

Under/14 vs Kercem Ajax 9-0 Alberto Xuereb 4, Damian Hili 3, Chris Dingli, Massimo Mallia vs Sannat Lions 0-2 vs Xewkija Tigers 2-1 Ismail Belhaj, Alberto Xuereb vs Nadur Youngsters 0-3 vs S.K. Victoria W. 4-0 Glen Cutajar 2, Damian Hili 2 vs Oratory Youths 1-9 David Scicluna vs Victoria Hotspurs 1-1 Alberto Xuereb vs Gharb Rangers 1-4 Damian Hili vs Munxar Falcons 5-2 Andrew Attard 2, Damian Hili 2, Alberto Xuereb vs Xaghra United 4-1 Glen Cutajar, Damian Hili, Alberto Xuereb, Jamie Vella

Leading scorers Damian Hili 9 Alberto Xuereb 8 Glen Cutajar 3 Andrew Attard 2 Ismail Belhaj 1 Chris Dingli 1 Massimo Mallia 1 David Scicluna 1 Jamie Vella 1

18

Black & White 2010

the blacks’ story After four cup final defeats in

one of the oldest competi-tions in Gozo, Ghajnsielem

F.C. finally won the Galea Cup, when in the fall of 1966 they beat Victoria Hotspurs 3-1 in the replay of the final.

Ghajnsielem eliminated Xaghra Young Stars 3-1 in

the quarter-final (Loreto Galea, Karmenu Caruana,

Zarenu Grech) and S.K. Calypsians 3-2 (John

Debono, Loreto Galea, Peter Caruana) in the semi-final.

The Blacks played Victoria

Hotspurs in the final and drew 2-2. The Blacks twice

fought back to level the score in the second half with

goals scored by Benigno Magro and, in the last minute

of normal time, by Loreto Galea. Extra-time was given

but there were no further goals. A replay was necessary and the Blacks prevailed 3-1.

After a score-less first half, the match opened up and for the third time in the final, the

Blacks fell behind to a Hot-spurs goal. Alfred Galea

equalized for Ghajnsielem in the 20th minute. Loreto

Galea played the ball across goal for John Debono to hammer home 5 minutes

later. This was Ghajnsielem’s first lead in this marathon

cup final. In the 32nd minute the brilliant Loreto Galea

scored Ghajnsielem’s third to seal a famous win for his

Club.

This was the seventh con-

secutive game in which Galea had scored a goal, which set

a Club record that was matched by Brian Meilak in the 1998/99 season. Daniel

Bogdanovic scored in 9 con-secutive appearances in the 2004/05 season. Jude Madu

scored in six consecutive league matches in 1999/00.

Above: Tony Zerafa and John Debono lead Ghajnsielem’s attack; Ghajnsielem celebrate the opening goal scored by Alfred Galea.

19

Black & White 2010

Above: Ghajnsielem celebrate the third goal scored by Loreto Galea.

Above: John Debono scores Ghajnsielem’s second goal.

20

Black & White 2010

Ghajnsielem F.C.’s complete record against Sannat L.

head-to-head

sannat lions

Ghajnsielem F.C’s next opponents are Sannat Lions. The Blacks drew 1-1 against the Lions in their first round encounter. Sannat, the reigning champions of Gozo, have had an up-and-down season. They have been very good on occasion (as in the double they have completed over Xewkija Tigers), and awful on others (two 2-6 defeats). Although Sannat’s squad is too powerful for them to con-template relegation trouble, they have to pick up points to pull out of the lower regions of the table. Should they put a string of good results together, Sannat may even mount a late challenge for league honours. Ghajnsielem must be wary of the veteran Sabri Rais, the all-time leading scorer against the Blacks, and ex-Blacks Errol Grima, Fernando de Andrade and John Camilleri. Alex Spiteri will have the entire squad at his disposal for this match. So it will be interesting to see which system Spiteri opts for in this match and which players he will choose to fill the various roles. Kenneth Mercieca is expected to return to the left side of mid-field, Franklee Galea is expected to play his first match as Alex Simoncic’s companion in central midfield and Glenn Cefai, who has returned from abroad, will be available for selection.

P W D L F A Esso Cup 1 1 0 0 1 0 Farsons Cup 2 0 0 2 1 3 First Division 63 15 14 34 57 106 G.F.A. Cup 14 6 0 8 24 15 Independence Cup 9 5 1 3 14 12 Jum il-Helsien Cup 1 0 0 1 1 1 Millennium Cup 1 1 0 0 1 0 Republic Cup 1 0 0 1 0 1 Second Division 2 2 0 0 8 1 Silver Jubilee Cup 1 0 0 1 1 1 Super Cup 1 1 0 0 2 1

Total 96 31 15 50 110 141

21

Black & White 2010

Sannat Lions fact file Founded 1936

Colours green

Coach Teddy Bajada

Roll of Honour

First Division Champions:

1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1981/82

1986/87, 1987/88, 1989/90, 2008/09

G.F.A. Cup Winners:

1974/75, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79

1980/81, 1981/82, 1982/83

Independence Cup Winners:

1996/97, 1998/99

Super Cup Winners:

2008/09

Jum il-Helsien Cup Winners:

1978/79, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1981/82, 1997/98

Second Division Champions:

1966/67, 1973/74, 1997/98, 2000/01, 2002/03

2004/05

First Division K.O. (PF) Winners: 1997/98 Farsons Cup Winners: 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80 Gemaherija Cup Winners:

1991/92

Republic Cup Winners:

1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79

Rothmans K.O. Winners:

1987/88

British American Ins. Shield Winners:

1969/70, 1970/71, 1972/73

Civic Council Cup (Div. 2) Winners:

1971/72

Good Conduct Cup Winners:

2007/08

Club records vs Sannat Lions Last win 2-1 11/04/09 1st division

Last draw 1-1 08/11/09 1st division

Last defeat 0-3 25/01/09 1st division

Best win 6-0 18/02/68 1st division

Worst defeat 0-6 16/10/05 1st division

Longest winning streak 7 27/04/97 to 16/04/00

Longest unbeaten streak 8 06/01/66 to 25/11/73

Longest losing streak 8 06/12/88 to 10/02/93

Longest winless streak 22 01/11/75 to 08/04/84

Ghajnsielem F.C. are currently on a two-game unbeaten streak

against Sannat Lions.

Player records vs Sannat Lions Most appearances 34 Mario Camilleri

Loreto Scicluna

Top scorer 7 Errol Grima

Sannat L.’s top scorer 14 Frank Muscat

22

Black & White 2010

head-to-head

xewkija tigers

Ghajnsielem F.C.’s second round commitments end with a match against Xewkija Tigers. The Blacks lost 2-4 to the Tigers and were completely outplayed by them in their first round encounter. Xewkija have since lost Chris Camilleri who has joined Hibernians F.C. and languish in last place in the league standings. Under the guidance of coach Mario Bonello there is no chance that Xewkija’s young team will give up hope of a higher finish, with the decisive third round still to play. Ghajnsielem have to watch out for the front pair of Basil Chibueze and Rodney Buttigieg, as well as Andreas Fotso. Ghajnsielem hope that they will come out of their encounter with Sannat with their squad intact. They need to be at full strength to avoid a repeat performance of the dismal outing they had against the Tigers earlier this season. The Blacks need to finish the second round in the top two. This will ensure that they will face league leaders and favourites for the championship Victoria Hotspurs in the last match of the season. Should the Blacks make up the three points deficit by then, the game will assume the nature of a decider.

Ghajnsielem F.C.’s complete record against Xewkija T.

P W D L F A Esso Cup 2 2 0 0 6 2 First Division 61 26 10 25 91 79 G.F.A. Cup 14 6 1 7 16 20 Galea Cup 4 2 1 1 12 7 Gemaherija Cup 1 0 0 1 0 1 Independence Cup 5 4 0 1 8 3 Jum il-Helsien Cup 2 1 0 1 3 5 Millennium Cup 1 0 0 1 0 1 President's Cup 1 1 0 0 4 0 Super Cup 4 2 0 2 5 7

Total 95 44 12 39 145 125

23

Black & White 2010

Xewkija Tigers fact file Founded 1939

Colours yellow and black

Coach Mario Bonello

Roll of Honour

First Division Champions:

1974/75, 1982/83, 1983/84, 2000/01

G.F.A. Cup Winners:

1983/84, 1984/85, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1999/00

2001/02, 2004/05

Independence Cup Winners:

1992/93, 2000/01, 2003/04

Super Cup Winners:

2004/05

Jum il-Helsien Cup Winners:

1996/97, 1998/99

Second Division Champions:

1964/65, 1969/70, 1972/73, 1980/81, 1987/88

1995/96, 1996/97, 2008/09

First Division K.O. (PF) Winners: 1996/97 Galea Cup Winners:

1945/46, 1952/53

Gemaherija Cup Winners:

1989/90

Republic Cup Winners:

1999/00

Silver Jubilee Cup Winners:

1983/84

Knockout (Div. 2) Winners:

1987/88, 1993/94

Jum il-Helsien Cup (Div. 2) Winners:

1979/80, 1980/81

Republic Cup (Div. 2) Winners:

1980/81

Good Conduct Cup Winners:

1990/91, 2004/05

Club records vs Xewkija Tigers

Last win 2-1 15/04/09 G.F.A. Cup P/R

Last draw 1-1 31/12/06 1st division

Last defeat 2-4 22/11/09 1st division

Best win 6-2 30/10/57 Galea Cup S/F

Best league win 5-0 03/02/57 1st division

Worst defeat 1-5 14/04/57 1st division

Longest winning streak 8 30/10/57 to 10/01/71

Longest unbeaten streak 8 30/10/57 to 10/01/71

Longest losing streak 6 21/11/82 to 04/01/86

Longest winless streak 6 21/11/82 to 04/01/86

Ghajnsielem F.C. had a 5-game unbeaten streak and a 3-game winning streak against this club snapped following their league defeat to Xewkija Tigers this season.

Player records vs Xewkija Tigers

Most appearances 39 Loreto Scicluna

Top scorers 12 Vincent Cutajar

Joseph Attard II

Xewkija Tigers’ top scorer 12 Sabri Omar Rais

24

Black & White 2010

mee

t th

e bl

acks

7 brian meilak

25

Black & White 2010

Brian Meilak’s long and distinguished career with Ghajnsielem F.C. started 19 years ago when he was a member of the Under/14 side that won the championship of this category. Two years later he won the championship with the Club at Under/16 level. In 1993/94 Meilak won the Under/16 knockout. In 1995/96 Brian not only helped Ghajnsielem win the championship at Under/18 level but he also made his first senior appearance for the Blacks (he was introduced as a substitute in the 1-0 league win over Qala St. J.) and his first senior start for the Club (3-1 win over Munxar F.) At this stage of his career, Meilak was an elusive, offensive minded right winger. Brian saw more senior action in the following season. He notched his first senior goal for the Club at the start of the 1997/98 season when he scored from an impossible angle in the semi-final of the Independence Cup against Sannat L. Ghajnsielem were relegated from the premier division to the first division that season, but Meilak tasted personal success when he was voted as the G.F.A.’s most promising player and his Under/21 side won the championship—he scored one of the two goals in the decisive win over Xewkija T. Meilak had his best season as far as goals are con-cerned in 1998/99, when Ghajnsielem won the first division championship and promotion to the top tier and he was chosen as the best player in the division. He scored 11 goals, nine of which came in a seven-game stretch that saw him equal Loreto Galea’s club record for goals in consecutive matches. His other two goals came in the final for the Super Cup, which Ghajnsielem won 6-2 over Xaghra U. During this season Meilak established himself in the Gozo F.C. side and was a starter in the club’s matches in the Regions Cup. In fact, Meilak went on to have a terrific career for Gozo F.C., with which club he has also experienced M.F.A. premier league football. He was twice honoured as Gozo F.C. player of the year (2002/03 and 2008/09). In 1998/99 Meilak led the Under/21 side to a second consecutive Under/21 championship. In 2000/01 he was part of the Club’s treble winning side. In 2002/03 Meilak won the Independence Cup and the G.F.A. Cup with Ghajnsielem. During this season Meilak often played as a stopper. Brian Meilak returned to an orthodox winger’s role in 2003/04, when he enjoyed his best season with the Club. For this he received recognition by the Club when he was chosen as player of the year and by the G.F.A. when he was honoured with the G.F.A. footballer of the year award. Meilak thus become the sixth Black to win this award. Meilak took over the Club captaincy at the start of the 2004/05 season and had the distinction of captaining the Blacks to their sixth championship title. He became the first player to win the Malta Football Awards Gozitan Footballer of the Year. Meilak lifted one more trophy for the Club as cap-tain in 2005/06 when Ghajnsielem won the Jum il-Helsien Cup. Meilak joined rivals Nadur Y. the following season and continued to add to his personal trophy cabinet when he won the league championship and three more cup competitions (the Independence Cup, the Jum il-Helsien Cup and the Super Cup).. Meilak returned to the Club in 2007/08. A Club veteran at 31, He is an exemplary individual on and off the field of play. Meilak is still one of the best all-round players in Gozo. His versatility is fully exploited by coach Alex Spiteri who has no trouble lining up Meilak in his preferred position on the right side (as a wide midfielfder, full-back or wingback), in central midfield (where he played in his last outing, against Kercem A.) or in cen-tral defence.

Brian Meilak career record

P W D L F A GL 1995/96 7 4 0 3 17 12

1996/97 13 6 3 4 23 18

1997/98 20 5 3 12 30 39 1

1998/99 20 14 2 4 69 20 11

1999/00 16 8 3 5 30 17 1

2000/01 20 12 3 5 34 18 1

2001/02 9 4 2 3 13 10

2002/03 28 19 1 8 71 32 1

2003/04 23 9 5 9 50 46 3

2004/05 25 19 2 4 75 29 1

2005/06 25 8 4 13 30 43 4

2007/08 24 11 3 10 36 34 2

2008/09 21 11 5 5 39 32 1

2009/10 12 6 2 4 28 25 1

263 136 38 89 545 375 27

26

Black & White 2010

the

blac

ks fa

n zo

ne

27

Black & White 2010

Ghajnsielem F.C.’s supporters were pleased, to say the least, with the Club’s shrewd acquisi-tion of Alex Simoncic during the January transfer window. The Serbian midfielder had long been a thorn in the Blacks’ side, so it was a thrill for the Blacks’ fans to see him take the field as one of their own in Ghajnsielem’s recent outing against Kercem Ajax. Simoncic did not take long to leave his mark. He scored the opener, direct from a free-kick and set up the winner from a corner-kick. The fans’ verdict during and after the match was a unanimous thumbs up. The fans are now anxious to find out how good this side can be. With Simoncic dictating play in midfield, Franklee Galea back in the side as the enforcer, Kenneth Mercieca and his silky style on the left and the robust Glenn Cefai in defence this side is now tipped to give Victoria Hotspurs a run for their money. According to one of the regu-lars on the Ghajnsielem side, the “East End” if you like, a die-hard Black if there is one, Italo Cauchi, the Blacks can hardly count on any help in their chase of the leaders Hotspurs. In other words, Ghajnsielem must keep winning to stay in the hunt and not let anything that the Reds do sway them from their pursuit. Cauchi believes that the signing of Simoncic has vastly improved the side. If it were up to him, however, he would not have stopped there and would have added more quality to the Blacks’ squad. One suspects that Cauchi was thinking of Kercem’s gifted forward Milos Stojanovic. Cauchi acknowledges that no matter the final outcome of this season, youngsters such as Ferdinando Apap, Robert Grima and others will have acquired valuable experience, which will stand them in good stead in future campaigns.

28

Black & White 2010

9 J

OS

EP

H A

TTA

RD