Gudja strike late to hold Gzira in a draw

A goal by Juan Andres Bolanos on the 90th minute cancelled an early lead for Gzira United courtesy of Maxuell Maia da Silva for Gudja United to hold the Maroons in a 1-1 draw at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.

Gzira, therefore, miss two important points in their bid to keep the pace with leaders Hamrun Spartans and second-placed Hibernians. They lie in third place on 35 points, four behind the Paolites and six behind the Spartans.

Gudja, on the other hand, earn a precious point after suffering back-to-back defeats to Hibernians and Zejtun.

The Maroons had a perfect start, taking the lead after just one minute when Martin Davis had a close-range effort blocked by Glenn Zammit and off the rebound, the Jamaican delivered a cross for Maxuell Maia da Silva to head home.

Nine minutes in the second half, Gzira were reduced to ten men after Jackson Mendoza was sent off for retaliation following an incident with Patrick Silva Mota.

However, on the 90th minute, Gudja notched the equaliser thanks to a Juan Andres Bolanos long-distance volley which beat goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.

GUDJA Glenn Zammit, Aidan Friggieri, Filip Pankarican, Imanol Gonzalez Benac, Neil Micallef, Elton da Silva, Hubert Vella (59′ Sergio Cruz Pereira), Thomas Veronese (73′ James Brincat), Juan Andres Bolanos, Dale Camilleri (72′ Tensior Gusman), Patrick Silva Mota (83′ Terence Vella).
Subs not used: Jamie Azzopardi, Llwelyn Cremona, Justin Grioli.
Coach: Jesmond Zammit

GZIRA Anthony Curmi, Gabriel Bohrer Mentz, Nikolai Muscat, Dexter Xuereb (61′ Steve Pisani), Martin Davis, Nevin Portelli, Maxuell Maia da Silva (52′ Clyde Borg), Jackson Mendoza, Ricardo Correa, Sacha Borg, Jefferson de Assis.
Subs not used: Krassimir Zammit, Karl Pulo, Omar Elouni, Andrew Cohen, Bahrudin Atajic.
Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Andrea Sciriha
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: Vella, Bolanos, Mota, Maxuell, Muscat
Red Cards: 54′ Jackson Mendoza