Maroons take sole leadership following five-goal thriller
Gzira gained sole leadership of the BOV Premier League after beating Hibernians by the odd goal in five. It wasn’t an easy passage for them since the Paolites offered stern opposition.
The Maroons had won two of the first three matches only dropping a point after being held by Hamrun Spartans on the second day. In
their last match they had the best of neighbours Sliema. Their opponents Hibernians won their first two matches against Pieta and Valletta but found the going tough in their last outing losing against Floriana thus suffering their first defeat.
Gzira started with the same formation of their last match with Hibernains effecting one change with Kristensen coming on instead of Dunstan Vella.
Darren Abdilla started with a tactical plan of 3-5-2 with Samb and Garba as their main attackers whereas his counterpart Stefano Serra adapting a 4-4-1-1 plan with Fonseca Tiago playing after the lone striker Degabriele.
Gzira held the initiative from the start and as early as the 10th minute took the lead. Zarate found Amadou Samb whose shot was saved onto the woodwork but the ball hit the unlucky Radojevic and into the net.
Hibernians responded two minutes later when following a corner a Radojevic shot from inside the area was blocked. The Paolites drew level in the 27th minute when off a long ball from Ntow, Soares failed to neutralize with Adan Fonseca Tiago gaining possession and his way in the area beating Haber in the process.
But this lasted just three minutes as on the half hour the Maroons regained the lead in controversial circumstances. Amadou Samb beat the offside trap rounding Hogg and slotting the ball into the net. Harsh protests ensued from the Paolites players and technical staff with coach Sanderra given the marching orders.
Hibernians started the second half impressively and were unlucky not to regain equilibrium when Degabriele was put through and after going round Haber saw his shot hit the crossbar. They kept coming forward and in the 48th minute a Blazevic corner was met by Agius only for his header to be blocked on the line.
In the 53rd minute Ntow crossed in the box with Degabriele missing to make contact with the ball when well postioned. And a minute later a Bezzina freekick found Fonseca Tiago who headed just wide.
The first threat from Gzira in the second half came on 58 minutes when Samb’s solo run ended with his shot ending inches wide. And they hit hard their opponents in the 66th minute when off a Corbalan free kick Fernando Barbosa Pereira blasted past Hogg.
Hibernians failed to throw in the towel and in the 69th minute they reduced the arrears with substitute Marcolino Taylon setting Adan Fonseca Tiago who had the easiest of chances to convert. But till the end Gzira held tight to record another important win.