Cohen, De Assis late strikes assure Gzira of first seasonal win

Gzira left it late yesterday to beat Balzan 2-0 and register their first seasonal victory after four consecutive draws.

Veteran Andrew Cohen, who entered as a substitute in the second half, put them on the victory path in the 75th minute – an easy tap in after a De Assis header had hit the upright. And the latter assured his side of victory with a second goal 11 minutes later.

The three points lifted the Maroons to a healthier position in the standings – jointly with Senglea on seven points.

After this third defeat, Balzan remain near the bottom of the standings. After five matches, they only have four points, the same as Mosta and Gudja.

Gzira had Zachary Scerri missing through suspension. Juan Corbolan and Andrew Cohen did not make to the starting line-up.

On their part, Balzan had Uros Ljubomirac missing from their line-up.

The first half was balanced although chances were few and far between at both ends.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested as the two defences were well in control over the two respective front lines.

Balzan seemed to have the better chances, but it was Gzira who went closest through a Samb shot which might have been cleared from behind the goal line.

In the second half, Gzira were simply the better team creating a good number of chances although they scored only two goals. However, that was a great relief for coach Giovanni Tedesco and the whole set-up of the team as they seem to have finally returned to last season’s form.

Balzan opened on attack and in the 3rd minute it was Ivan Bozovic who tried his luck from outside the area, but the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Soon after, in a swift move, it was Steve Pisani who crossed low into the Gzira area, but Paul Fenech hit the ball well over the bar from an ideal central position.

On 18 minutes, Balzan goalie Kristijan Naumovoski was called up to save a low shot by Arthur Oyama who had received a good cross by Jefferson De Assis.

At the other end, soon after, it was Gzira goalie Haber who saved an Alfred Effiong shot.

At this stage the match degenerated as neither side seemed to be able to create anything noticeable, but in the 29th minute, Paul Fenech had a good effort being saved by Haber.

Gzira protested hotly with the official in the 34th minute when Amadou Samb received from De Assis and dribbled round goalie Naumovski; his shot appeared to have crossed the line when Balzan defender Augustine Loof cleared the ball away. But referee Matthew Degabriele, close to the action, and his assistant, ignored the protests and waved play on.

In the 44th minute Martin Davis was through in the Balzan area, but Aleksandar Kosoric’s splendid intervention avoided an awkward situation for his side.

The second half started with the Maroons in attack, but it was Balzan who had a good attempt by Ricardo Correa going over the bar.

In the 56th minute, after a dangerous Gzira freekick, a Martin Davis effort was cleared from over the line by Kosoric. At the other end, it was goalie Haber who saved the Gzira fort as he blocked a Correa effort.

On 64 minutes, as Gzira insisted, a Conti cross-shot passed across goal as De Assis failed to make contact in front of goal.

Two minutes later, Samb advanced into the Balzan area, but his shot was palmed out by Naumovski.

Gzira were rewarded for their efforts when they took the lead on the 75th minute. From a Gatt Baldacchino cross, a De Assis header hit the upright and substitute Andrew Cohen had absolutely no difficulty in planting the ball into the empty net.

Balzan went close to equalizing in the 84th minute when a Kosoric effort was deviated just past the post with goalie Haber beaten.

In the 86th minute, Gzira made sure of their victory with a second goal when Conti set De Assis who, completely unmarked, made no mistake.