Yuri Messias penalty hands Gudja narrow win over Lija

A Yuri Messias penalty two minutes from time enabled Gudja United to return to winning ways as they defeated Lija Athletic 1-0 at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday in a clash between two teams who were playing their first game in over a month as both teams were in mandatory quarantine.

Gudja, who had new signings Elton Alexandre da Silva and Vanger Conceicao making their debut, re-join Valletta in the eighth place while Lija, who had new signings Walter Serrano making his first appearance remain second from bottom on six points.

Gudja scored the all-important goal two minutes from time when Yuri Messias, served by Gabriel Mensah from the right, was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, the Brazilian striker made no mistake.

LIJA Luke Bonnici, Carl Joseph Cassar (67′ Andrea Mizzi)(86′ Daniel Scerri), Ismael Borg, Erjon Beu, Fernando Javier Brandan, Harry Wood, Walter Omar Serrano, Miguel Jimenez, Juan Cruz Gill, Clayton Giordimaina, Carlos Flores.  
Subs not used: Liam Attard, Liam Aquilina, Alessio Galea, Beppe Antignolo, Andre White.
Coach: Joseph Galea

GUDJA Glenn Zammit, Yuri Messias, Llywelyn Cremona, Gabriel Mensah (90′ Lee Pisani), Imanol Gonzalez Benac, Neil Anthony Micallef, Elton Alexandre da Silva (76′ James Brincat), Vanger Conceicao (89′ Hubert Vella), Goran Adamovic, Juan Bolanos, Dale Camilleri. 
Subs not used: Jamie Azzopardi, Timothy Zammit, Terence Vella, Tensior Gusman.
Coach: Jesmond Zammit

Referee: Etienne Mangion
Assistant Referees: Duncan Spencer, Dejan Stankovic
Fourth Official: Andrea Sciriha
Yellow Cards: L. Cremona, N. Micallef, A. Mizzi, Y. Messias, G. Zammit
BOV Player of the Match:  Fernando Brandan