Żabbar St. Patrick… 1
Gżira United..………2
Scorers:
- Gżira: Mendoza 5’, Thiaguinho 42’
- Żabbar: Minala 28’ (own goal)
Gżira United got back to winning ways with a 2–1 victory over Żabbar St. Patrick, a much-needed boost after collecting just two points from their previous four games. The result lifts the Maroons out of immediate danger, placing them three points above Naxxar and further distancing themselves from the relegation zone.
Gżira struck early through Jackson Mendoza, who fired home from the edge of the box after a throw-in just five minutes in. Żabbar equalised on 28 minutes with a slice of luck as Joseph Minala inadvertently turned a corner into his own net.
But Gżira regained the lead just before halftime when Thiaguinho (Espindola) smashed in a superb rising shot after a cross from Faysal Chouaib.
In the second half, Gżira maintained control, while Żabbar struggled to create clear-cut chances. Aldama came close for Gżira with a dangerous run and shot, and Mendoza later hit the side netting with a freekick. Żabbar’s only notable chance came late on with a low effort from Tavares, but Mangano saved comfortably.
Gżira nearly added a third in stoppage time, but no one was on hand to finish off Macula’s low cross.
ŻABBAR ST. PATRICK:
L. Camilleri, B. Gambarte, Z. Grech, J. Pisani, D. Tavares, G. Zammit (55’ A. Iervolino), V. De Paiva (78’ S. Ilic), J. Pedro (59’ J. Micallef), D. Jovicic, M. Santos, D. Oliveira.
GŻIRA UNITED:
G. Mangano, G. Mentz, J. Minala (70’ L. Riascos), E. Pepe, T. Aldama, F. Chouaib (90’ K. Tulimieri), L. Macula, D. Barbosa (82’ B. Borg), K. Zammit, T. Espindola, J. Mendoza.
Referee: Philip Farrugia
