Watch: Late Alex Alves goal hands Gżira United winning start over Marsaxlokk

MARSAXLOKK                  0

GŻIRA UNITED                 1

Alex Alves 89

MARSAXLOKK

M. Drobnjak; Jefferson, K. Micallef, Yuri, D. Bonnici (74 E. Pena Beltre), J. Walker (74 I. Goularte), J. Arias (74 N. Muscat), L. Dessypris, A. Gomes, L. Aguirre, R. Scicluna.

GŻIRA UNITED

D. Zarkov; E. Pepe, Thaylor, Z. Scerri, M. Dias, F. Hassany (63 J. Minala), L. Riascos (63 A. Alves), S. Christian, F. Zuniga, B. Borg (71 K. Tulimieri), T. Espindola.

Referee Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards Hassany, Riascos, Scerri.

A late goal by summer signing Alex Alves handed Gżira United a winning start to their new campaign, beating one of last season’s best sides Marsaxlokk.

Led by Andrew Cohen, the Maroons put on a commanding performance with their feet always on the gas pedal in search of a victory.

Gżira had several players making their debut including Malta international Enrico Pepe who has surely bolstered the defensive department with his experience.

Marsaxlokk’s performance, on their part, left a lot to be desired especially since their encouraging showings in the UEFA Conference League against Albania’s Partizani.

Winston Muscat’s side also had a few names making their first appearance including wingback Enmy Pena Beltre, who played with the likes of Birkirkara and Valletta.

Gżira United produced the first shot of the match when Thiago Espindola forced Marko Drobnjak into action with a low strike.

Moments later, Faysal Hassany tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area but once again the Maroons could not break the deadlock.

After the change of ends, Brooklyn Borg was denied by a fantastic save from Drobnjak from close-range before Saint Christian had an effort cleared by the Marsaxlokk backline from a corner-kick situation.

Midway into the second half, Gżira coach Cohen put Joseph Minala into the fray as the former Lazio player was making his Maroons debut after joining from Sliema Wanderers.

Gżira continued to probe the Marsaxlokk backline in search of a goal with Kevin Tulimieri, also making his first appearance for Gżira, letting fly a shot just to be denied by inches.

The Maroons were rewarded for their proactive approach in the 89th minute when Thaylor caught Marsaxlokk on the break before rolling the ball to Alex Alves with the Brazilian slotting into an empty net.

Marsaxlokk tried to stage a late rally in search of the equaliser but it was too little too late as the Maroons preserved their one-goal lead and start their league campaign on a positive note.