A goal by Rundell Winchester handed Gudja United three precious points as they defeated Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in a direct clash between two teams from the lower part of the table at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.
Gudja, in fact, returned to winning ways after losing the derby against Santa Lucia last week and thanks to these three points, they leapfrog the Wanderers and Santa Lucia to move tenth on 18 points.
For Sliema, this was a highly disappointing result after last week’s fine win over Gzira United had raised hopes the Blues were back on track. They are now joint-third from bottom on 17 points, two ahead of Senglea and one behind Gudja.
Gudja could have taken the lead towards the end of the first half but Rundell Winchester was unlucky to hit the woodwork.
However, nine minutes in the second half, Rundell Winchester was not to be denied as he received a through pass by Anderson de Barros and the former hit home past goalkeeper Jake Galea.
GUDJA Glenn Zammit, Jurgen Farrugia, Jonathan Bondin, Aidan Friggieri (83’ James Brincat), Edison Bilbao Zarate, Rundell Winchester (90’ Llywelyn Cremona), Anderson de Barros, Nivaldo Rodrigues Ferreira (70’ Gabriel Mensah), Juan Andres Bolanos, Justin Grioli, Imanol Gonzalez Benac.
Subs not used: Jonathan Debono, Lee Pisani, Peter Paul Sammut, Hubert Vella.
Coach: Josef Mansueto
Asst. Coach: Thane MicallefSLIEMA Jake Galea, Alex Satariano (67’ Gabriel Duarte Lustosa), Kurt Shaw, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Juri Cisotti, Juan Cruz Gill, Edmond Agius, Carlos Calvo Sobrado (56’ Michele Sansone), Arthur Henrique Oyama, Jean Paul Farrugia (46’ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro).
Subs not used: Entonjo Elezaj, Luca Pirotta, Jack Kind, Gareth Barone.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: Ivan WoodsReferee: Slobodan Petrovic
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, James Muscat
Fourth Official: Matthew Degabriele
Yellow Cards: Friggieri, Grioli, Mintoff, Scerri, De Barros
BOV Player of the Match: Rundell WinchesterAttendance: