Second-half goals lift Valletta past Gżira United and boost hopes of top two finish

VALLETTA       2

Messias 54; Mendoza 60

GŻIRA UNITED           1

Maia 90

It was a game of two halves with Gżira United creating the better chances during the opening 45 minutes and were unlucky to hit the woodwork twice.

After the break, however, Valletta managed to make the most of the favourable windy conditions as they managed to score two quick-fire goals through Yuri Messias and Jackson Mendoza to secure a valuable victory.

With this win, the Citizens have now moved up to fourth spot on 20 points, two points adrift of second-placed Marsaxlokk and Ħamrun Spartans and stay well in the hunt for a top two finish which could see them contest the Final Four at the end of the season.

The first half turned out to be a hard-fought affair, with Gżira United creating the better chances, though Valletta also had a couple of opportunities to take the lead.

It was Gżira who threatened first, as after seven minutes, Andre Pena Da Costa hit a thumping drive that saw goalkeeper Adilson Maringa somehow keep the ball out with the aid of the upright.

From the ensuing corner kick, it was Andre again who attempted a cheeky backheel with Maringa showing great reflexes to palm the ball away.

Gżira remained on top, and on 22 minutes, Andy Borg did well to create space for himself on the edge of the area, but his shot sailed just wide.

Valletta finally threatened on 33 minutes when, from a corner action, the Gżira defence cleared the ball into the path of Yuri Messias, who saw his central shot well saved by goalkeeper Karl Sargeant.

The best chance of the half fell Gżira’s way as two minutes from the break, Marc Van De Bovenkamp’s cross was deflected by Emmanuel Mbende into the path of David Xuereb who anticipated Maringa, but his firm drive came off the bar.

At the other end, Andrea Zammit came close for Valletta when Sargeant pushed away his thumping drive.

Valletta showed signs of improvement after the break and on 47 minutes they were awarded a central free-kick, from which Brandon Paiber saw his low drive pushed away by Sargeant.

Six minutes later, Valletta protested for a penalty when Gabriel Mentz blocked a Paiber free-kick, with the City players contending that he had used his arm to keep out but the referee waved play on after consulting the Football Video Support.

But that did little matter for Valletta as two minutes later, Messias gave them the lead with a spectacular strike on 54 minutes.

In a swift transition, Messias sensed that Sargeant was out of his place, and he managed to lob the ball from mid-pitch for one of the goals of the season.

Gżira looked rattled and Valletta struck again just past the hour mark when Jackson Mendoza unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the area that gave no chance to Sargeant.

The match looked all but settled, but Gżira still tried to find a way back into the match.

Ten minutes from time, Andre raced past his marker but his shot was saved by Maringa.

However, Gżira did manage to pull a goal back in stoppage time when substitute Maxuell Maia hit a thumping drive that flew into the net.

But that was too little too late, as Valletta held on for the win.