Early goals pave the way for comfortable Gzira win

Gzira United returned to winning ways as they defeated Qormi 4-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Maroons remain third but now lie four points clear of Sliema Wanderers and five ahead of Hamrun Spartans and Birkirkara.

Gzira took the lead on the 8th minute thanks to a diagonal shot from the right by Haruna Garba.

Nikolai Muscat doubled the score on the 19th minute as he headed the ball home off a cross from the right.

Four minutes in added time, referee Philip Farrugia awarded Gzira a penalty after Mansi was adjudged to have fouled Garba inside the area and from the penalty spot, Andrew Cohen made no mistake.

Qormi reduced the gap seven minutes in the second half thanks to Tensior Gusman who managed to beat Justin Haber with a low shot from inside the area.

However, on the hour, Nikolai Muscat took advantage of an erratic clearance by a defender, hitting low past goalkeeper David Cassar from close range to make it 4-1.

QORMI David Cassar, Davide Mansi, Yannick Yankam (73′ Michael Borg), Antonio Rozzi, Manolito Micallef, Jordy Lokando, Mohamed Bangoura, Lucas Santana, Romeu Romao, Kassiano Soares (64′ Nick Ghio), Tensior Gusman (76′ Luke Farrugia).
Subs not used: Miguel Falzon, Leon Theuma, Luke Busuttil, Iven Zammit.
Coach: Matthew Psaila
Goalkeepers Coach: Mario Muscat

GZIRA Justin Haber, Nikolai Muscat, Zachary Scerri, Andrew Cohen, Juan Carlos Corbalan (63′ Myles Beerman), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Roderick Briffa, Gianmarco Conti, Sacha Borg, Haruna Garba (63′ Sofian Domoraud).
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Zac Zammit, Jaron Schembri, Justin Mengolo, Amadou Samb.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: Soares, Mansi, Borg, Conti
BOV Player of the Match: Nikolai Muscat

Attendance: 494