Maroons earn precious points from Balzan clash

Gzira United registered a second win on the trot as they defeated Balzan 3-1 in a direct clash between two teams fighting for a top-six finish at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.

The Maroons join Hamrun Spartans in fourth place but the Spartans have a game in hand. Balzan, on the other hand, continue to share the eighth place with Gudja United on 20 points, one behind seventh-placed Valletta and two ahead of tenth-placed Mosta.

Gzira took the lead on the 12nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Maxuell Maia was brought down inside the area by Gary Camilleri and from the penalty spot, the Brazilian made no mistake.

Seven minutes later, Balzan equalised when Adam Bradshaw entered the area from the right but the ball was blocked, reaching Bojan Kaljevic who slotted the ball home past goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov.

Gzira regained the lead five minutes in the second half courtesy of Maxuell Maia who received an assist by Jackson Mendoza and after entering the area, lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper.

Six minutes from time, the Maroons sealed the issue with a third goal courtesy of substitute Toni Kolega who hit home past Vranes following an assist by Jefferson from the right.