MOSTA 0
GŻIRA UNITED 2
Maxuell 6
Jefferson 75
MOSTA I. Akpan-4, C. Ememe-5.5, D. Bonnici-5.5 (57 J. Nsumoh-5), C. Failla-6.5, G. Sciberras-6 (57 P. Tenebe-5), B. Diarra-5, J. Akrong-6, G. Acheampong-6 (69 T. Akiti), S. Kingue-5, J. Vassallo-5, Z. Brincat-5.
GŻIRA UNITED D. Zarkov-6, G. Bohrer-8, L. Tabone-6, N. Muscat-6.5 (90 A. Borg), Z. Scerri-6.5, M. Dias-7, T. Kolega-6.5, R. Correa-6 (46 L. Riascos-6.5), M. Cosic-6.5, M. Maia-7 (72 J. Mendoza), Jefferson-7 (90 B. Borg).
Referee Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow cards Sciberras, Dias, Cosic.
BOV Player of the match Jefferson (Gżira United).
Gżira United bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat to Ħamrun Spartans when they battled past Mosta at the Centenary Stadium.
It was a mature performance from the Maroons who managed to surge ahead early in the match through Maxuell Maia and from then on they managed to withhold everything that the Mosta forwards threw at them.
Despite Mosta enjoying a superior rate of possession, Gżira remained the more dangerous side and they went on to seal the points with a fine strike from Jefferson.
With this win, Gżira consolidated their second placing as they have now moved on the 21-point mark while Mosta remained sixth on 14 points.
Gżira United were off to a perfect start as they took the lead inside the first six minutes.
The Maroons were awarded a central free-kick and Gabriel Bohrer’s shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Ini Akpan and in came Maxuell who fired home.
Jefferson could have doubled his team’s lead on 11 minutes when Jefferson raced clear but the Brazilian missed his shot with only Akpan to beat.
Mosta finally threatened after 19 minutes when Zachary Brincat played in Christ Ememe who stormed inside the area but fired just wide.
As the minutes passed, Mosta started to show more fight and were putting more pressure on the Gżira defence but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Eight minutes from the break, Bohrer again close from another set-piece with his stinging drive finishing just wide.
Gżira again started the second half brightly and were unlucky not to double their lead when Nikolai Muscat’s shot came off the upright.
Mosta tried to hit back and they laid siege to the Gżira goal with a series of crosses inside the area but the Maroons’ fort stood tall.
Instead, it was Gżira who struck the killer goal fifteen minutes from time when Toni Koleva found Jefferson who outmuscled his marker inside the area and fired a firm drive into the top corner.
