BOV Premier League: Maroons take sole leadership after coming from behind

Birkirkara FC         1
Gzira Utd. FC         2

Birkirkara FC: K. Naumovski, D. Chapoval, M. Andelkovic, P. Fenech, J. Grech, K. Zammit, E. Ferreira Dos Santos, M. Mifsud, C. Attard (M. Guillaumier 83'), C. Chavarria Rodriguez (U. Calistus 60'), T. De Souza ( E. Herrera 76')

Gzira Utd. FC:  J. Haber, D. Mambouana (E. Zarate 46'), Z. Scerri, R. Soares, A. Cohen, J.Corbalan, R. Briffa (N. Muscat 72'), S. Borg, F. Barbosa Pereira, A. Samb, H. Garba 

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Asst refs:  Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella

4th official:  Philip Farrugia

Scorers: M. Mifsud 27', H. Garba 58', A. Samb (p) 79'

Yellow cards:  Ferreira Dos Santos, Samb, Naumovski

Red Card: Amadou Samb

Player of the match:  Haruna Garba (Hamrun S.)

TMI Top 3: 1. H. Garba    2. J.Corbalan    3. R. Briffa   

Attendenza: 987

Gzira took sole leadership when in a tight match against Birkirkara they came from a goal down and emerged winners by the odd goal in three. A win which put them on 13 points,  a point above joint second placed Balzan u Sliema.

Birkirkara had won three of their four matches played so far with Gzira still unbeaten after three wins and a draw against Hamrun.

In their last outing Gzira defeated Hibernians by a 3-2 score whereas Birkirkara defeated Floriana with two late goals.

Paul Zammit made three changes from their last match with Jake Grech, Michael Mifsud and Chavarria given a starting role instead of Terence Agius, Bazrak and Marcelo Sequeira. On the other hand Darren Abdilla effected just one change from their last outing starting Zachary Scerri in place of Zarate.

The first part of the match was rather tense and tight with neither side holding the upper hand. The Maroons were marginally better but as time passed by the Stripes gained momentum. And in the 27th minute they broke the stalemate. Michael Mifsud received the ball and made a good run into the area before unleashing a low drive which beat Haber all ends up. This was Mifsud's second goal of the campaign.

In the 32nd minute Corbalan found Scerri but his shot sailed just over the bar. A minute later and the Stripes replied with a long range effort by Chavarria but his effort scraped just over.

Ten minutes from the break a Gzira corner by Corbalan was met by Soares whose scissors shot just missed out. This was the best moment of the match with both teams creating chance after another following a rather scrappy start.

In the 44th minute Naumovski saved on Cohen from inside the area with the Stripes going near to increase their lead when Chavarria set on Mifsud with the latter rounding the goalkeeper but prolonging too much with his final shot saved on the line by Haber.

Gzira missed a good chance on the change of ends when in the 47th minute off a Briffa corner Samb failed to connect from in front of goal. But in the 58th minute they drew level when Corbalan fed a ball inside the area with Haruna Garba heading into the corner of the net.

Gzira were now in control and in the 70th minute Garba's shot went inches wide off the mark. Four minutes later Zarate sent a cross inside the area but a headed effort by Garba missed the target.

In the 77th minute Gzira were controversially given a penalty with Paul Fenech being adjudged in bringing down Nikolai Muscat in the area. The Stripes protested harshly but it was all in vain as when calm was restored Amadou Samb converted in style.

A minute from the end Gzira were reduced to ten-men when Amadou Samb was given the marching orders following a second bookable offence.

from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2zH6KM8
via IFTTT