BOV Premier League | Sliema Wanderers 2 – Gżira United 1

Following their win over Naxxar, Gżira were looking for a victory to keep the pace with Balzan and Valletta at the top of the table. However, they were up against a tough Sliema side who were eager to recover from last week’s narrow defeat at the hands of Floriana.

In fact, Sliema created the first opportunity of the match after two minutes. Ricardo Calixto Correa sent cross from the left that was tipped behind by Anthony Curmi.

The Maroons responded on the 7th minute. Amadou Samb hit a low shot from outside the penalty area that was neutralised by Glenn Zammit.

A minute later, Zammit had to be alert again. From a free-kick, Andrew Cohen fired a shot that was blocked by the Sliema goalkeeper.

However, Gżira forged ahead from the resulting corner. Following a cross by Cohen, Samb saw his header hitting the upright. Rebound fell for Ndubi Emmanuel Okoye who placed the ball inside the net.

Darren Abdilla’s side took hold of possession after the goal and managed to threaten again on the 25th minute. Juan Corbolan’s shot from a free-kick was saved by Zammit.

Gżira went close to increase their advantage on the 34th minute. Cohen sent a cross from a corner that went in the path of Antonio Orlando Macedo Neto whose header sailed off target.

The Wanderers responded on the 39th minute. Frank Temile served Matias Muchardi inside the penalty area and the latter hit a low shot that was saved by Curmi.

Sliema managed to equalise three minutes later. John Mintoff delivered a long ball in the direction of Muchardi that surprised Curmi and rolled inside the net.

Gżira started the second half looking to regain the lead and had an opportunity on the hour mark. Cohen’s free-kick was met by Macedo Neto whose header was saved by Zammit.

On the 64th minute, Muir passed the ball towards Okoye who was in a good position inside the penalty area, but the Gżira striker fired high.

Sliema nearly went ahead ten minutes. Following a corner, Nikola Gavric’s header was cleared off the line by Cohen.

John Buttigieg’s side kept insisting and went close again on the 78th minute. Michele Sansone hit a close range shot that forced a good save from Curmi.

Sliema’s efforts paid off on the 90th minute. Substitute Gabriel Aquilina squared the ball for Nikolae Milincenau who finished low past Curmi.

Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Glenn Zammit, Nikola Garic, Matias Muchardi, Frank Temile (Ryan Spiteri- 90), Nikolae Milincencau, Peter Xuereb, Michele Sansone (Gabriel Aquilina-87), Edmond Agius (Frenci Qeros – 45), Ricardo Calixto Correa, John Mintoff, Goran Adamovic

Gżira United starting line-up: Anthony Curmi, Gary Muir, Antonio Orlando Macedo Neto (Luca Brincat – 90), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Sacha Borg, Moises Avila Perez, Roderick Briffa, Andrew Cohen (Zack Scerri-89), Juan Corbolan (Samba Tounkara- 59), Emmanuel Ndubisi Okoye, Amadou Samb

Referee: Glen Tonna

Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Ryan Aquilina

Fourth Official: Jude Admin Utulu

Yellow Cards: Andrew Cohen (Gżira), Amadou Samb (Gżira), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Gżira), Nikola Gavric (Sliema), Frank Temile (Sliema)

BOV Player of the Match: Matias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers)