Despite having two players sent off in the final stages, Gzira United registered a fourth consecutive win as they came from behind to beat Zejtun Corinthians 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.
The Maroons move temporarily on top the BOV Premier League table on 12 points, one ahead of Hamrun and three ahead of Sliema, Gudja and Hibernians. Zejtun, on the other hand, remain on the 6 point mark. However, this was another good display by Orosco Anonam’s side.
Zejtun took the lead on the 26th minute when Fernando Jose Gomes Junior pounced on a back pass by Hamed Kone and advanced into the area and rounded a defender before delivering a cross for Kemar Reid to nod the ball home.
Eight minutes in the second half, Gzira levelled matters thanks to Amadou Samb following a corner from the left by Jackson Mendoza.
The Corinthians were then unlucky to hit the crossbar with a Lucas Gama Moreira header on the 73rd minute.
Jackson Mendoza was sent off for Gzira seven minutes from time for stepping on an opponent.
However five minutes later, Jefferson de Assis notched the winner for the Maroons when he concluded a good move with a fine shot from the left which beat goalkeeper Christian Cassar.
On the 90th minute, substitute Omar Elouni was also sent off for Gzira.
GZIRA Anthony Curmi, Gabriel Bohrer Mentz, Steve Borg, Nikolai Muscat, Clyde Borg (64′ Dexter Xuereb), Hamed Kone (82′ Andrew Cohen), Jackson Mendoza, Ricardo Correa Duarte, Sacha Borg (75′ Omar Elouni), Amadou Samb, Jefferson de Assis.
Subs not used: Justin Haber, Camilo Escobar, Nevin Portelli, Alexander Scicluna.
Coach: Darren Abdilla
Asst. Coach: Andrew CohenZEJTUN Christian Cassar, Diego Albanese, Lucas Gama Moreira, Kemar Reid, Jurgen Suda (70′ Adrian Carabott), Thiago Bonfim dos Santos, Christian Grech, Fernando Jose Gomes Junior, Ricardo Silva Faria, Neil Tabone, Anderson de Barros.
Subs not used: Daniel Grima, Alessio Cassar, Dylan Agius, Gianluca Bugeja, Edward Herrera, Gillmore Azzopardi.
Coach: Orosco Anonam
Asst. Coach: Paul BugejaReferee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech
Yellow Cards: Muscat, Samb, Cohen, Albanese, de Barros, Bonfim
Red Cards: 83′ Jackson Mendoza, 90′ Omar Elouni
BOV Player of the Match: Amadou Samb