Gżira United beat Żabbar SP to inch closer to Top Six spot

GŻIRA UNITED          3         

Mentz 8, Alves 61, 86

ŻABBAR SP    1         

Jovicic 21       

GŻIRA UNITED

D. Zarkov, G. Mentz, E. Pepe, T. Aldama (90 F. Chouaib), Z. Scerri, M. Dias (90 B. Borg), L. Riascos (90 J. Minala), C. Saint (90 F. Romero), A. Da Paixao, K. Tulimieri (63 A. Borg), T. Espindola.

ZABBAR

M. Grech, J. Micallef, W. Bonilha, S. Ilic (72 J. Pedro), Z. Grech (59 I. Davey), D. Tavares, S. Jovancic, L. Agius (72 B. Gambarte), V. De Paiva (72 M. Azzopardi), D. Jovicic, D. Oliveira (27 M. Ferreira).

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara.

Yellow vards: E. Pepe, B. Gambarte, B. Borg

Gżira United returned to winning ways as they beat bottom-placed Zabbar St Patrick 3-1.

It was a crucial win for the Maroons, as they move three points clear of Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk in their bid to secure a spot in the Opening Round Top 6.

Żabbar, on the other hand, remain anchored a the bottom of the table as they suffer their eighth defeat.

Żabbar went close to taking the lead after just two minutes with Diogo Tavares concluding a good run on the right flank with a powerful shot which hit the side netting.

However, the Maroons managed to take the lead on eight minutes when off a cross by Thiago Espindola from the left, Gabriel Mentz headed home past goalkeeper Matthew Grech.

The Saints levelled matters on 21 minutes. Zachary Grech delivered a corner from the right and with a great first time effort, Djordje Jovicic beat goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov.

Goalkeeper Matthew Grech came to the rescue for Żabbar as he anticipated Alex Da Paixao following an inviting pass by Thaylor from the right seven minutes from the end of the first half.

Six minutes in the second half, Kevin Tulimieri tested Grech with a header off a Thiago Espindola freekick from the left.

On 57 minutes, Thaylor Aldama concluded a good move on the right flank with a shot which ended over the bar.

Gżira regained the lead on 61 minutes. Thaylor concluded another fine run on the right flank with an assist for Alex da Paixao who beat the Żabbar custodian with a diagonal shot from the right.

Thaylor missed a good opportunity, failing to connect off an inviting cross by Thiago Espindola on 70 minutes and ten minutes later, Matthew Grech blocked Alex da Paixao’s solo run just outside the area.

Four minutes from time, Alex Alves sealed the issue with a third goal, concluding a brilliant run from Gżira’s half-pitch and despite being surrounded by three defenders, he managed to beat Grech with a powerful shot in the top right corner.

Six minutes in added time, Żabbar went close to reducing the gap with a Martim Ferreira freekick but the ball was turned into a corner by Zarkov.