BOV Premier League | Valletta 1 – Gżira Utd 0

Gżira’s supporters and players protested heavily on the 5th minute when Ige Abdullahi Adeshina was brought down inside the penalty area, but the referee signalled play on.

The Maroons had another opportunity on the 12th minute. Moises Avila Perez hit a low shot from distance that sailed wide of the post.

On the other end, Jhonnattann Benites Da Conceicao who was playing his last match for Valletta fired a shot that was neutralised by Mauro Boerchio.

On the 14th minute, it was Gianmarco Conti of Gżira who hit a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area that went slightly wide.

Ten minutes later, Valletta had a chance on goal when Umeh Uchenna Calistus went on a good run at the centre of the pitch, but his shot ended up off target.

Valletta created another chance on goal on the half hour mark. Leandro Aguirre fired a low shot that was neutralised by Mauro Boerchio.

Paul Zammit’s side nearly opened the score on the 39th minute. Rowen Muscat fired a strong shot from distance that hit the upright.

Gżira responded on the 45th minute. From a free kick, Juan Carlos Corbalan delivered the ball inside the penalty area towards Conti who acrobatically finished wide.

The Maroons had a great opportunity to go ahead ten minutes into the second half. Following a free kick, Conti delivered the ball inside the penalty area towards Louis Rene Zome whose header went slightly wide.

Valletta went ahead three minutes later. Santiago Malano served Luke Montebello who went past his marker before sending a low shot inside the net past Boerchio.

Montebello was close again on the 66th minute. The striker fired a shot from outside the penalty area that sailed high of the post.

In the additional time given by the referee, Corbalan hit a strong shot from distance that went high.

At the end of the match, Jhonnattann Benites received an applause from the Valletta supporters as the Brazilian will be continuing his career in the Middle East.

Valletta starting line-up: Dziugas Barktus, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Luke Montebello, Claudio Pani, Umeh Uchenna Calistus, Leandro Aguirre, Jhonnattann Benites Da Conceicao, Rowen Muscat, Pomeu Pericles Romao.

Gżira Utd starting line-up: Mauro Boerchio, Andre White, Souleymane Diamoutene, Zachary Scerri, Gianmarco Conti, Jacob Borg, Jonathan Bondin, Louis Rene Zome, Juan Carloas Corbalan, Moises Avila Perez, Ige Abdullahi Adeshina.

Referee: Emanuel Grech

Assistant referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Chris Azzopardi

Additional Assistant referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Alex Johnson

Fourth official: Thomas Debono

BOV player of the match: Gianmarco Conti (Gżira Utd)