Gzira rediscover their winning touch
Gzira United interrupted a winless three-match streak with victory over Naxxar Lions at the Centenary Stadium yesterday evening. Although still far from recapturing the form of a month ago, this win takes them back to the top of the standings, at least until tomorrow, and helps to boost their dipping confidence after a defeat and two consecutive draws.
Admittedly, Andrew Cohen’s energetic presence was significant and inevitably bolstered Gzira’s collective but there was no real rhythm as the Maroons were not at their most fluent in the first half.
Samb provided their main danger in attack and not surprisingly, he headed his side ahead towards the half hour, following a Cohen cross.
But otherwise, the Naxxar keeper Nicht was only called to keep out Cohen’s curling shot after ten minutes and then to thwart Samb in another Gzira attack late in the half.
A second Samb goal, his 13th of the league campaign, soon after the start of the second half, put the Maroons comfortably in command but frustration crept in after Naxxar pulled one back short of the hour through Yuri Messias.
Gzira capitalised on the Naxxar keeper’s dismissal late in the game to score their third goal through Ndubisi Okoye and secure the points
Naxxar kept men behind the ball, compressed the space between the lines and looked to punch on the counter attack or on set pieces.
They presented themselves with a couple of early shots from a distance that kept the Gzira keeper Curmi on alert. Falzon twice had efforts going slightly over and Micallef’s low drive after 21 minutes forced Curmi into a save.
Naxxar’s best chance fell two minutes before halftime. Messias’ low blistering drive was turned into a corner by the Gzira goalkeeper.
If Naxxar tried to have more invention after the restart, they were afflicted by Gzira’s second goal on 51 minutes. It was a quality passing move that doubled the Maroons’ lead. Cohen’s through pass put Corbolan clear inside the Naxxar area, and he played a square pass to Samb to slot the ball in from close range.
Naxxar were expected to buckle but instead, Yuri Messias hit one back short of the hour, with a low diagional strike from the edge of the area.
Gzira showed lack of creativity even after Cohen was replaced by Zach Scerri on 73 minutes.
But the Lions’ hopes of clinching an equaliser at least, were dashed when their keeper Nicht was sent off on 78 minutes, after handling the ball outside the penalty area when trying to stop Samb’s progression towards goal.
Omar Borg replaced him in the Naxxar goal and he was soon called to block Okoye’s effort inside the area.
But Okoye was sharper and on target three minutes from time to score Gzira’s assuring goal with a low finish.
Naxxar Lions coach resigns
It was yesterday confirmed that after the defeat against Gzira United, Naxxar Head Coach Stuart Watkis had resigned from his position due to personal reasons.
The Management of Naxxar Lions thanked Mr Watkis for his hard work and endeavor whilst at the club and wished him well. Gzira Valletta Balzan Floriana Sliema Hibernians Hamrun Birkirkara Mosta Senglea A. Tarxien Naxxar Lions St. Andrews Lija Athletic P W D 11 7 3 10 7 2 10 6 3 10 5 5 10 6 2 10 5 3 10 5 1 10 4 1 10 3 2 10 2 3 10 2 1 11 1 3 10 2 0 10 1 1 L F APts 1 26 12 24 1 20 4 23 1 20 10 21 0 21 7 20 2 17 6 20 2 16 6 18 4 16 12 16 5 12 15 13 5 13 22 11 5 9 15 9 7 11 29 7 7 11 22 6 8 8 24 6 8 12 28 4