BOV Premier League | Gżira United 5 – Pembroke Athleta 1

Gżira created the first chance of the match on the third minute. Gianmarco Conti hit a volley from the edge of the penalty area that went wide.

Conti sent the Maroons ahead a minute later. From a corner, Andrew Cohen sent a cross towards the unmarked Gżira player who headed past Calleja Cremona.

Darren Abdilla’s side went close to double the score once more through Conti. The Italian midfielder received a pass inside the penalty area and hit a shot that was blocked by Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Gżira kept on putting pressure and had another opportunity on the 12th minute. Cohen played Carlos Alejandro Reyna through on goal and the latter went running inside the penalty area before hitting a low shot that was well saved by Calleja Cremona.

Pembroke responded a minute later. Stevan Racic fired a shot from distance that sailed wide.

The Maroons doubled the score on the 19th minute. Andreas Scozzese brought down Ige Abdullahi Adeshina inside the penalty area and the referee signalled for a penalty after receiving advice from his assistant. From the eleven metres mark, Cohen made no mistake and finished inside the net.

On the 33rd minute, Gżira tested Calleja Cremona again. Conti sent a through ball towards Juan Carloas Corbalan who went inside the penalty area and fired a shot that was parried for a corner by Pembroke's goalkeeper.

Calleja Cremona produced another save on the 37th minute to deny Gżira the chance to increase the margin of the score. Ian Azzopardi hit a powerful drive from the left side of the penalty area that was blocked by the twenty-two year old goalkeeper.

Pembroke had another rare chance on the 42nd minute. Raphael Alain Kooh Sohna sent a shot from distance that ended up off target.

On the brink of half time, Barbetti of Pembroke tried his luck from a free kick but his shot went wide.

Seven minutes into the second half, Gżira had another great chance. Moises Avila Perez sent Reyna through on the left flank. The Argentine player went past Calleja Cremona and tried to place the ball inside the net but his effort was cleared off the line.

On the 56th minute, Cohen tried a shot from distance that went marginally high.

Pembroke reduced the margin of the score on the 65th minute. From a free kick, Racic hit a low shot that went inside bottom corner.

However, Gżira scored again five minutes later. Cohen fired a shot shot from a free kick that hit the post. Rebound fell for Reyna who had the easiest of tasks as he slotted the ball inside the net.

Two minutes later, Reyna scored again. Calleja Cremona’s shot hit the back of the Gżira player who took hold of the ball and finished inside the net.

On the 75th minute, Gżira nearly scored again. Corbalan saw his shot from a free kick going slightly high.

Five minutes later, Reyna completed his hat trick. Conti hit a shot from just inside the penalty which Calleja Cremona failed to neutralise. Reyna was once more at the right place at the right time and placed the ball inside the net.

On the 89th minute, Avila Perez went through the left flank and fired a shot that was neutralised by Calleja Cremona.

Gżira United starting line-up: Jurgen Borg, Jacob Borg, Antonio De Queiroz Machedo Neto, Souleymane Diamoutene, Ian Azzopardi, Juan Carloas Corbalan, Ige Abdullahi Adeshina, Moises Avila Perez, Carlos Alejandro Reyna, Andrew Cohen, Gianmarco Conti

Pembroke Athleta starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Darren Falzon, Miguel Attard, Stevan Racic, Raphael Alain Kooh Sohna, Daniane Jawad, Tonci Radovnikovic, Andreas Scozzese, Sunday Eboh, Paltemio Barbetti, Raklis Roppas

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Chris Azzopardi

Fourth Official: Glen Tonna

BOV Player of the Match: Andrew Cohen (Gżira)