Gżira stay close to top, Pieta’ remain bottom

GŻIRA UNITED 4

Jefferson 2

Maxuell 52, 70

Mizzi 63 og.

PIETA’ HOTSPURS 0

GŻIRA UNITED D. Cassar-7 (85 K. Zammit), G. Bohrer-6, N. Muscat-7, S. Pisani-7 (85 M. Alouzi), Z. Scerri-6 (67 A. Borg), L. Riascos-6.5, T. Kolega-7, R. Correa-6.5 (67 C. Gauci), M. Cosic-6.5, Maxuell-6.5, Jefferson-7 (67 B. Borg).

PIETA’ HOTSPURS S. Alampasu-6, S. Okoh-5, S. Mizzi-5, J. Ghio-6 (83 L. Gatt), L. Abedel-5 (74 P, Lapira), A. Wismayer-5, Z. Leonardi-6, A. Ogungbe-5, A. Sekou-6 (83 G. Xuereb), A. Belibi-5 (69 Y. Morita), T. Yamaguchi-5 (82 K. Briffa).

Referee Daniel Portelli

Yellow cards Bohrer, Scerri, Sekou, Muscat, Wismayer, Andy Borg.

BOV Player of the Match Jefferson (Gżira United).

Gżira United broke little sweat to overcome Pieta’ Hotspurs and stay closer to the leading teams in the Premier League.

The Maroons recorded a 4-0 victory over the newly-promoted side to remain four points behind Birkirkara and Ħamrun Spartans who have a perfect record after the opening five games of the league.

Jefferson drew the first blood early in the first half before two second-half goals including a brace from Maxuell handed Gżira the three points.

Pieta’, on their part, have found the going tough in the Maltese top-flight so far as they are still searching for their first points in this campaign.

Gżira United forged ahead inside the opening two minutes when Jefferson capitalised on a Toni Kolega’s cross from the right-hand side to put the Maroons in the driving seat.

They remained the better team as they pressed the Hotspurs constantly but could not find a way to score a second goal and continue to extend their lead.

On the other hand, Bugeja’s Hotspurs were looking to catch their opponents on the break but never really threatened David Cassar with their only first-half chance being a long-range freekick from midfielder Alan Wismayer.

Gżira, on their part, had open goal chances from Marko Cosic’s header, Jefferson’s volley from inside the small area and a long-range shot from Ricardo Correa but none of them could find a way to add to their team’s lead as they finished the first half with a one-goal lead.

Nonetheless, Gżira did manage to find a second immediately after the exchange of ends when Maxuell received a neat through ball before firing past Sunday Alampasu.

The Hotspurs’ reply came through youngster Jake Ghio who fired a brilliant shot from the edge of the area just to be denied by a spectacular stop from Cassar.

The Maroons extended their lead through a Sheldon Mizzi own goal who deflected Steve Pisani’s freekick into the Hotspurs’ net as Gżira practically had sealed the win at this point.

Gżira’s Cassar came to the rescue again when he denied Sekou’s freekick with another excellent stop.

Maxuell scored Gżira’s fifth when he struck a curling effort from the edge of the area past Alampasu.