Gzira United extended their unbeaten run with a third win in five matches as they defeated Pieta’ Hotspurs 4-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
A win which puts the Maroons in fourth place on 11 points, four behind joint-leaders Birkirkara and Hamrun Spartans and two behind Gudja United. Pieta’, on the other hand, suffered their fifth defeat in as many matches.
Gzira had five changes from the team which defeated Hibs as David Cassar, Steve Pisani, Luis Riascos and Jefferson De Assis replaced Darijan Radelic Zarkov, Luke Tabone, Clive Gauci, Marcelo Dias and Jackson Mendoza. The Hotspurs, on the other hand, welcomed back goalkeeper Dele Alampasu while Samuel Okoh, Abedel Latif Amadu, Alan Schembri Wismayer and Amadou Sekou Camara replaced Clinton Bangura, Ito Yasukaze, Terence Agius and Zean Leonardi.
Gzira took the lead after just two minutes when off an assist by Toni Kolega, Jefferson de Assis headed home past Dele Alampasu.
Seven minutes in the second half, the Maroons doubled the score courtesy of Maxuell Maia, served by Ricardo Correa, who beat goalkeeper Dele Alampasu despite close marking by Pieta’ captain Samuel Okoh.
On the 63rd, Gzira scored the third goal thanks to a Steve Pisani freekick from the right, slightly deflected by Sheldon Mizzi, which beat goalkeeper Alampasu.
Seven minutes later, Maxuell Maia scored Gzira’s fourth, concluding a solo effort with a rising shot from outside the area which gave the Pieta’ goalkeeper no chance.