Gżira United and Marsaxlokk take a point each in drab encounter

GŻIRA UNITED              0

MARSAXLOKK            0

GŻIRA UNITED

J. Haber, G. Mentz, E. Pepe, A. Borg, T. Aldama, Z. Scerri, M. Dias, L. Riascos, A. Da Paixao (90 L. Borg), B. Borg (79 M. De Filippis), T. Espindola.

MARSAXLOKK

M. Drobnjak, K. Micallef, N. Muscat, J. Ghio (86 S. Cassar), J. Walker (75 A. Barbara), U. Arias, J. Quitongo, L. Lopez, A. De Aguiar, E. Pena Beltre, L. Aguirre.

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Pepe, B. Borg, Dias, J. Ghio, A. Da Paixao, Z. Scerri.

Gżira United and Marasaxlokk earned a point each following a goalless draw in a clash between the two teams leading the way in the Bottom 6.

It was a balanced encounter with shots at goal being few and far in between and all in all, a draw was a fair result.

The draw helped both sides make sure that they will avoid the bottom two places as they now share the 19-point mark.

Gżira had two changes from their previous outing as Andrew Borg and Marcelo Dias replaced Farid Romero and Christian Ebisindor Saint.

Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, welcomed back Karl Micallef in the starting line-up along with Jacob Walker and Jake Ghio. Yuri Messias and Duane Bonnici were among the substitutes while Ryan Scicluna was ruled out injured.

Following a quiet start for the two teams, the Maroons had the first attempt at goal on 23 minutes when Thiaguinho’s angled freekick from the right turned into a corner by goalkeeper Marko Drobnjak.

Marsaxlokk replied with a powerful shot from the edge of the area by Nikolai Muscat which was deflected by a defender and saved by goalkeeper Justin Haber on 34 minutes.

The two teams continued to share the exchanges and on 63 minutes, Marsaxlokk went close to taking the lead when off a Nikolai Muscat freekick from the right, Lucas Lopez’s header hit the foot of the upright.

Two minutes later, Alex Da Aguiar had a low shot from the edge of the area parried by Haber. A cross shot by Ulises Arias was neutralised by the Gżira custodian ten minutes from time. 

With one minute to go, Thaylor had a shot from outside the area for the Maroons deflected into a corner by a defender.