MFA BOV 2ND DIV LEAGUE

K. Camilleri, A. White, H. Gatt Bonello, J. Tabone, N. Gatt Coleiro, J. Felice, K. Bonello, T. Micallef, A. Pirrone (N. Corito), M. Sultana, S. Gatt.

  Gzira United consolidated their ambitions to challenge for promotion with a victory over Gozo at Sannat Ground.  Gzira’s victory matured with two goals scored during the first period so that they administered play with confidence and made sure of the three points with other goals scored after the break.  Knowing that this was a crucial match in their attempt to get out of the relegation zone, the Gozitans tied to be adventurous but at the end they were erratic in front of goal and weak at their defence.  With this result Gzira take sole leadership on the table while Gozo are now occupying the bottom place together with Gharghur on 4 points.

  The hosts produced their best patch of play in the first part of the match.  In the 4th minute an attempt from the edge of the area by Jason Portelli ended inches wide and the same player had a free kick three minutes later that was well blocked by goalie Keith Camilleri but Saviour Attard hit badly from the rebound.  Two minutes later Gzira’s rearguard once again had a moment of hesitation but John Camilleri’s attempt failed to conclude from a good position.  On 11 minutes a shot by Saviour Attard was well saved by goalie Keith Camilleri.  The visitors replied with an effort by Allesandro Pirrone from a good position that was weak to create danger.  On 13 minutes Gozo’s Josef Buttigieg had his strike saved in corner by goalie Camilleri.  Gzira opened the score on 19 minutes.  Gozo’s goalkeeper Sultana failed to clear a free kick by Malcolm Sultana and defender Saviour Attard committed an own goal in an attempt to clear the danger.  The hosts were not demoralised and tried to produce a reaction.  On 25 minutes a long ranged shot by Brian Meilak ended just wide.  Minutes later it was John Camilleri who concluded wide from a good position.  At the other end Malcolm Sultana unmarked Allesandro Pirrone in the area but the latter concluded just wide when he was alone in the area.  On 32 minutes Pirrone was once again released in Gozo’s territory by Malcolm Sultana but the former saw his lob over the goalkeeper that hit the crossbar.  However, Gzira doubles the score one minute later.  Pirrone once again entered the area but was floored by Gozo’s goalkeeper.  The referee awarded a penalty and skipper Keith Bonello converted from the spot kick.  Gozo suffered the set back and on 35 minutes the maroons could have increased their lead but an effort by Pirrone was saved by goalie steve Sultana.

  Gozo tried to re-open the issue after the break but the closest they went to scoring was through a direct free kick by Mario Mifsud that was neutralised by goalie Keith Camilleri.  Gzira practically sealed the issue on 61 minutes when Keith Bonello took advantage of a blunder at Gozo’s rearguard and placed in goal with a low shot as he came face to face with the goalkeeper.  One minute later Gozo’s John Camilleri concluded over the crossbar from close distance and Gzira were again dangerous on 70 minutes through an effort by Josef Felice that missed the target.  One minute later Gzira’s substitute Nico Corito had an effort that ended wide and on 78 minutes two consecutive shots by Gozo’s John Camilleri were blocked by the goalkeeper and from the rebound substitute Philip Attard concluded wide. 

  Six minutes from time the same Attard had another effort that missed the target and one minute later it was Gzira’s Nico Corito who could have increased the score but his strike from outside the area ended inches wide.  Gzira continued to administer play in the dying moments as Gozo lost any hope to recover from the heavy deficit.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

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