Newly-promoted Gudja United registered their maiden win in the BOV Premier League as they defeated Birkirkara by the odd goal in five at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.

Gudja, who were coming from a negative run of four consecutive defeats, therefore bounced back in style with a win which puts them on level points with Birkirkara on the 7-point mark. 

For Birkirkara, this was yet another disappointing result. Lying joint-third from bottom was something they were definitely not expecting.

Gudja managed to take the lead on the 27th minute when Rundell Winchester concluded a good run with an assist for Gabriel Mensah who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg. 

However four minutes from the end of the first half, Birkirkara levelled matters when off a cross by Caio Henrique Prado, Federico Falcone headed the ball home in the top left corner.

During the seven minutes of added time at the end of the first half, Gudja were unlucky to hit the crossbar with an Aidan Friggieri effort and then off a cross by Friggieri from the right, Rundell Winchester’s header scraped past the upright.

Gudja regained the lead on the 62nd minute. It was a great goal by Gabriel Mensah whose powerful drive from a distance of around thirty metres which gave the Birkirkara goalkeeper no chance.

Josef Mansueto’s side were now brimming with confidence and on the 71st minute, they made it 3-1 thanks to a penalty by Rundell Winchester after Gabriel Mensah was brought down inside the area.

The Stripes were reduced to ten minutes as Enrico Pepe was sent off by referee Philip Farrugia as he received a second yellow card for a foul just outside the area.

Birkirkara reduced the gap on the 78th minute thanks to Federico Falcone who slotted the ball past Gudja goalkeeper Jonathan Debono following a cross by Michael Mifsud.

B’KARA Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Maurizio Vella (89’ Kurt Zammit), Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Caio Henrique Prado, Oscar Matias Carniello, Miguel Angel Alba (58’ Michael Mifsud), Ryan Fenech, Isaac Toah Ntow.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Johann Bezzina, Gianluca Bugeja, Terence Agius, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.
Coach: Andre Paus
Asst. Coach: Jonathan Holland


GUDJA Jonathan Debono, Jonathan Bondin (28’ Allan Ricardo Miranda) (35’ Llywelyn Cremona), Zack Cassar, Miguel Attard, Aidan Friggieri (77’ Justin Grioli), Rundell Winchester, Gabriel Mensah, Anderson de Barros, Miguel Antonio Jimenez, Hubert Vella, Juan Andres Bolanos.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Dylan Grima, Carlos Alexandre Santaa, James Brincat.
Coach: Josef Mansueto
Asst. Coach: Thane Micallef


Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow cards Henrique, Pepe, Cassar, Anderson, Ntow
Red Cards: 71’ Enrico Pepe
BOV Player of the Match: Gabriel Mensah
Attendance: 438