Gżira United leave it late to keep Top Six push alive

GŻIRA UNITED      1

Costa 90

MOSTA                     0

GŻIRA
E. Colombo; D. Abela, A. Borg, B. Borg (68 D. Xuereb), A. Carlos, Maxuell, L. Riascos (60 J. Bonilla), S. Bastic (68 F. Silva), M. Van De Bovenkamp, I. N’Sa, M. Stojanovic.

MOSTA
D. Akpan; Gilson (25 C. Oderinde), N. Portelli, G. Goncalves (85 S. Eikwu-Ojo), K. Zammit, Joao Victor, A. Kozic (68 C. Diamanka) , Willian, S. Zibo, J. Vassallo, L. Fernandes.

Referee: Joseph Scerri.

Yellow cards: Gilson, Vassallo, N’Sa, Bonilla.

Gżira United secured a crucial last-gasp victory over Mosta to boost their hopes of finishing in the Top Six.

The Maroons returned to winning ways with a dramatic win over the Blues, moving up to fourth place on 13 points.

Meanwhile, Mosta remain rooted at the bottom with just one point and are now certain to compete in the Bottom Six in the next phase of the Closing Round.

The match was officiated by Joseph Scerri, who was making his Malta Premier debut as a referee, in front of a notably sparse crowd.

Both sides made several key changes, whether tactical or enforced, as they looked to keep their Top Six aspirations alive.

The game started in a subdued manner, with little action in the opening stages. Gżira created the first real opportunity on 18 minutes when Maxuell fired wide.

The Maroons continued to push forward, with Stasa Bastic forcing David Akpan – making his 75th appearance for Mosta – into a save.

Shortly after, Mosta were forced into an early substitution as Gilson picked up an ankle injury, with Charles Oderinde coming on in a defensive midfield role.

Luis Riascos then threatened for Gżira, breaking into the box before sending his effort over the bar.

Mosta’s first attempt came through Azer Kozic, though his effort failed to trouble the target.

In the 39th minute, Gżira came close again, with Maxuell denied by a brilliant close-range save from Akpan, before Andre Carlos saw his follow-up effort drift inches wide.

Neither side made changes at the break, with the deadlock still intact.

Bastic threatened once more for Gżira early in the second half, but his effort went wide.

At the other end, Leonardo forced Edoardo Colombo into action with a powerful shot, but the San Marino international reacted well to keep it out.

Brooklyn Borg then came close to breaking the deadlock for Gżira, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner as the match began to open up.

Giancarlo Goncalves also tried his luck, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Akpan was called into action again, producing another excellent save to deny Maxuell’s powerful free-kick from just outside the area.

With ten minutes remaining, substitute Cheikh Diamanka missed a golden opportunity to give Mosta the lead.

Gżira made them pay in stoppage time, as Andre Costa netted the winner – his eighth goal in the Maltese top flight – converting from close range after a well-delivered cross.