Gżira United edge past Mosta to extend positive run of form

GŻIRA UNITED        1         

Becerra 75

MOSTA           0

Gżira United extended their positive run to five matches as they defeated Mosta 1-0 in a match which saw the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round Bottom 6 get underway.

The win which puts Darren Abdilla’s side on the 16-point mark, five ahead of the Blues.

Although Mosta had their fair share of scoring opportunities, also hitting the posts, especially during the second half, Gżira did create the better chances.

The Maroons had four changes from their last league outing as Marc Van De Bovenkamp Font, Santiago Martinez, Luis Riascos and Kante were all named in the starting line-up as Clayton Failla and David Xuereb were ruled out through suspension, while Brooklyn Borg and Wallace Bonilha were among the substitutes.

The Blues also had four changes from the last match from the Opening Round league phase against Tarxien as they welcomed back in the starting line-up Leo Fernandes, Almamy Kanitao, Giancarlo Goncalves and Daniel GTA.

Following a most quiet opening half hour, it was only on 29 minutes that there was the first attempt at goal when Leo Fernandes went close with a free kick ending just wide.

Gżira replied with a Marc Van de Bovenkamp header, which was cleared off the goal line by a defender on 33 minutes.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, Johan Bonilla served Luis Riascos whose effort from the edge of the area ended just over the bar and a minute later, a Simon Zibo long-distance effort was neutralised by Gżira goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo.

One minute in the second half, Nathan Agius had a shot from outside the area ending just wide and on 52 minutes, in a swift counter-break for the Blues, Almamy Kanitao concluded a good run on the right with a powerful drive which just missed the target.

Daniel GTA was then unlucky to hit the foot of the upright when served by Nathan Agius on 57 minutes.

The Maroons replied with a Jork Becerra header off a freekick by Johan Bonilla from the right which was saved by goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo a minute later.

On 67 minutes, following a good move between Kante, Andrew Borg and Santiago Martinez on the right, the Colombian midfielder tested Akpan with a low shot from inside the area.

Six minutes later, Bonilla served Kante, whose effort was palmed out by Udoh.

Gżira maintained the pressure and Andre had a low shot turned into a corner by the Mosta custodian on 74 minutes.

The Maroons, finally, managed to break the deadlock a minute later as Jork Becerra headed the ball home off a corner from the right.

Mosta replied with an overhead kick by Joao Victor, which was blocked by a defender on 77 minutes but three minutes later, Bonilla released Andre on the left with the latter concluding wide.

Three minutes from time, Andre ended on the ground as he tried to round goalkeeper Akpan.

The Gżira forward was cautioned for simulation and although the Maroons challenged the referee for a penalty, Fyodor Zammit confirmed his decision following a Football Video Support review.