2022–23 in Gozitan football explained

2022–23 in Gozitan football
Gozo
2023 Island Games
First Division
Nadur Youngsters
Second Division
S.K. Victoria Wanderers
G.F.A. Cup
Nadur Youngsters
Super Cup
Ghajnsielem
First Division Knock-Out Cup
Nadur Youngsters
Second Division Knock-Out Cup
Xagħra United
Second Division Challenge Cup
Prevseason:2021–22
Nextseason:2023–24

The 2022–23 season was the annual competitive association football season in Gozo organised by the Gozo Football Association for 2022–23.

Overview

During the 2022-23 football season, the Gozo national football team participated in the 2023 Island Games.[1]

As for domestic club football, 14 Gozitan clubs participated in the 2022–23 Gozitan football season, with 8 playing in First Division, the top division in Gozo, and the remaining six in the Second Division.

The Gozo Football Association also held a number of cup competitions, namely:

The draw for all the competitions organised by the Gozo Football Association for the 2022–23 season was held on 22 July 2022.[2] All matches organised by the Gozo Football Association were held at either the Gozo Stadium or the Kerċem Ajax Stadium. No matches were held at the Sannat Ground, given that it was still being refurbished.

Gozitan clubs also participated in the knock-out cups organised by the Malta Football Association. Indeed, the clubs of the First Division participated in the 2022–23 Maltese FA Trophy[3] whereas the clubs of the Second Division participated in the National Amateur Cup.[4]

2023 Island Games

See main article: Football at the 2023 Island Games.

Squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Island Games by coach Mark Buttigieg.[5]

Caps and goals correct as of 20 June 2023

Group 4

width=175 Teamwidth=20 abbr="Played" Pldwidth=20 abbr="Won" Wwidth=20 abbr="Drawn" Dwidth=20 abbr="Lost" Lwidth=20 abbr="Goals for" GFwidth=20 abbr="Goals against" GAwidth=20 abbr="Goal difference" GDwidth=20 abbr="Points" Pts
Jersey3300100109
Gozo32014136
Menorca31025503
Saint Helena3003013-130

Fixtures

First Division

Dates:9 September 2022 – 22 April 2023
Competition:First Division
Matches:80
Total Goals:265
League Topscorer: Marcelo Barbosa (Nadur Youngsters)
16 goals
Biggest Home Win:Għajnsielem 6–0 Sannat Lions
Kerċem Ajax 6–0 Sannat Lions
Biggest Away Win:Sannat Lions 0–8 Għajnsielem
Highest Scoring:Kerċem Ajax 6–3 Għajnsielem
Prevseason:2021–22
Nextseason:2023–24
Updated:26 March 2023
Winners.:Nadur Youngsters (14)
Most Successful Club/S:Għajnsielem (18)

The 2022–23 season was the 73rd edition of the Gozitan First Division. It was played between 9 September 2022 and 16 April 2023 and was contested by eight teams.

ClubLocationPosition in 2021–22
2nd
3rd
Nadur Youngsters1st
6th
1st in Second Division
7th
4th
5th

In terms of format, the First Division was split into two phases. In the first part of the season, the eight teams of the First Division faced each other played in a double round-robin format. Thereafter, the First Division was split into two divisions, with the top four at the end of the first part of the season qualifying for the Top Four and the bottom four qualifying for the Playout.[2]

Each club in both divisions played each other twice, with the winner of the Top Four being crowned winners of the 2022-23 First Division, the club ending bottom of the Playout being relegated to the 2023-24 Second Division, and the club ending second from bottom getting the chance to defend the top flight status by qualifying for the Promotion/Relegation Play-off.[2]

Ultimately, Nadur Youngsters won the league for a record 14th time,[6] Sannat Lions got relegated, and Victoria Hotspurs ended up penultimate and vied for their top division status in the Promotion/Relegation Play-off, which they lost against Xagħra United.

First Phase

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League table

Results

Second Phase

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Top Four

Play-Out

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Promotion/Relegation Play-off

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Previous:2022
Next:2024

The Promotion/Relegation Play-off was contested by Victoria Hotspurs, who finished second from bottom in the First Division, and Xagħra United, who ended runners-up in the Second Division. Xagħra United won the match 2–1, thus winning the right to participate in the upcoming First Division and condemning Victoria Hotspurs to Second Division football.

Details

Second Division

Dates:16 October 2022 – 19 March 2023
Competition:Second Division
Matches:45
Total Goals:153
Biggest Home Win:S.K. Victoria Wanderers 5–0 Għarb Rangers
Biggest Away Win:Munxar Falcons 0–5 S.K. Victoria Wanderers
Highest Scoring:Għarb Rangers 3–5 St. Lawrence Spurs
Prevseason:2021–22
Nextseason:2023–24
Updated:25 March 2023
Winners:S.K. Victoria Wanderers (6)
Promoted:S.K. Victoria Wanderers
Xagħra United

The 2022–23 season was the 61st edition of the Gozitan Second Division. It was played between 16 October 2022 and 19 March 2023 and was contested by six teams.

Notes and References

  1. News: Men's football competition draw . Guernsey 2023 . 2 May 2023 .
  2. News: Gozitan champions Nadur start defence of the title against Victoria Hotspurs . Gozo Football Association . 27 March 2023 .
  3. News: National Amateur League (Quarter Finals) and Izibet FA Trophy (Preliminary Round) Draws Held Today . Malta Football Association . 29 March 2023 .
  4. News: National Amateur Cup Draws Were Held Today . Malta Football Association . 29 March 2023 .
  5. Web site: Team Gozo . Facebook . Gozo Island Games Association.
  6. News: Nadur Youngsters crowned Gozitan champions . Gozo Football Association . 1 May 2023 .