Gzira keep up their march at the top
Gzira United maintained their 100 per cent record and cemented their place at the top with this fifth consecutive win of the season against strugglers St Andrews. It was always expected to be a straightforward afternoon for the leaders but finally they had to work hard for victory.
Despite the bullying presence of their forward line, Gzira first struggled to break down a flimsy St Andrews defence, after falling behind to Friggieri’s goal and wasting a hatful of chances.
It took them more than half an hour to level matters. But with the leaders having more physicality, more pace and technical ability, there was only going to be one winner when the match opened up after a tight first half.
They went on to score two more goals before St Andrews reduced the arrears with a late penalty.
Gzira had Diamoutene starting in defence instead of Kamana, in the coach’s only change from the previous match.
St Andrews gave a start to Aiden Friggieri, who scored their opening goal towards the first quarter hour. The nippy forward ran inside the Gzira area for Martin’s through pass and turned quickly to beat keeper Curmi with a low diagonal drive.
That early goal must have disrupted Gzira’s rhythm.
They wasted a series of good chances and were at times almost comically poor, summed up by three glaring misses within seven minutes.
Samb ran through the Saints area but was blocked by the onrushing keeper. Another good Gzira move followed when, on a Tounkara low cross from the right, Cohen played the dummy but Samb hit wastefully wide.
Tounkara again went round keeper Calleja Cremona from the left but failed to hit the ball with enough power and defender Gauci could clear.
An equaliser looked almost in- evitable and Gzira drew level past the half-hour mark. Gauci lost possession cheaply to Samb outside his area and the latter crossed low for the unmarked Samba Tounkara to steer the ball past the Saints’ keeper.
Gzira should have gone in front five minutes before the break, when awarded a controversial free kick from the edge of the area. Briffa’s delivery was ably held out by Calleja Cremona and Okoye’s shot was blocked by Cohen before St Andrews cleared the danger.
The Maroons had more purpose after the break and soon began building up a head of steam. It took them only five minutes to take the lead, courtesy of some sloppy defending from the Saints.
Borg was late to track down Cohen’s run down the left and when he crossed towards the far side, Samba Tounkara was on hand to beat the Saints’ keeper.
Six minutes later, Gzira were awarded a penalty for Gauci’s late tackle on Amadou Samb, who took the spot-kick’s responsibilities and stretched his side’s lead.
St Andrews’ hopes of salvaging a point were rekindled 20 minutes from time, when awarded a penalty after Atkinson was bundled by substitute Kamana inside the area. Joseph Farrugia reduced the arrears.
Suddenly Gzira were forced to hold their nerves and their keeper Curmi denied Friggieri, turning his rasping shot into a corner.
Gzira controlled the proceedings for the remaining minutes and they held their breadth when Farrugia’s free kick finished wide in added time.
Standings
P W D Gzira 5 5 0 Floriana 5 3 2 Hibernians 5 3 1 Valletta 5 3 1 Sliema 5 2 2 Balzan 5 2 2 Senglea Athletics5 2 2 Hamrun 5 2 1 Birkirkara 5 2 1 Mosta 5 2 0 St. Andrews 5 1 0 Naxxar Lions 5 0 2 Lija Athletic 5 0 1 Tarxien 5 0 1 L 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 3 4 4
F 14 12 11 4 9 6 7 6 6 6 6 4 4 4 APts 5 15 2 11 4 10 2 10 4 8 4 8 6 8 4 7 6 7 8 6 15 3 11 2 13 1 15 1