Gzira United move third

Gzira United moved back in third place, one point ahead of Birkirkara, thanks to a 5-3 win over Mosta at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Following two goalless draws with Floriana and Balzan, Gzira therefore returned to winning ways to revive hopes of securing a historic place in the UEFA Europa League. Mosta, on the other hand, continue to share the ninth place with Senglea, just six points ahead of the relegation zone.

The Maroons took the lead on the 8th minute thanks to Andrew Cohen who received a cross by Nikolai Muscat and beat Andreas Vella with a beautiful shot from outside the area.

Three minutes later, Ndubisi Okoye served Andrew Cohen who hit home from close range to double the score.

Mosta reduced the gap on the 16th minute when Clifford Gatt Baldacchino floored Tyrone Farrugia inside the area and Damir Bartulovic converted from the penalty spot.

Gzira regained a two-goal lead on the 19th minute thanks to Ndubuisi Emmanuel Okoye who managed to beat Vella from close range.

Mosta reduced the gap once again on the 34th minute when Damir Bartulovic’s effort was partially saved by Curmi and off the rebound, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira headed the ball home.

Three minutes in the second half, Haruna Garba made it 4-2 when he advanced upfield before beating the Mosta custodian with a cute lob.

Five minutes later, Ndubuisi Okoye advanced on the right before hitting hard past Vella for the Maroons’ fifth goal.

Seven minutes from time, Damir Bartulovic scored his second goal and Mosta’s third when he rose high to head home off a corner by Thomas Veronese.

Photo: Copyright Andrew Grima

[gallery_bank type=”images” format=”masonry” title=”true” desc=”false” responsive=”true” display=”all” sort_by=”random” animation_effect=”bounce” album_title=”true” album_id=”126″]

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira, Massimo Sammartino, Thomas Veronese (84′ Jurgen Grech), Kurt Magro, Damir Bartulovic (70′ Kyle Frendo), Tyrone Farrugia, Zachary Brincat, Dexter Xuereb, Ivan Maric, David Ifeanyi Nworah (60′ Ismael Karba Bangoura).
Coach: Johann Scicluna

GZIRA Anthony Curmi, Roderick Briffa, Sacha Borg, Destin Prince Loic-Mambouana, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Moises Avila Perez, Edison David Bilbao Zarate (65′ Juan Carlos Corbolan), Haruna Garba (82′ Luca Brincat), Andrew Cohen (85′ Antonio Orlando Machedo Neto), Nikolai Muscat, Ndubisi Emmanuel Okoye.
Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Jude Amin Utulu
Yellow Cards: D. Nworah, K. Magro, T. Veronese, D. Xuereb
BOV Player of the Match: Andrew Cohen