Gudja back on winning track with Keith Bonello header

The revelation side of the season Gudja United were back on winning track yesterday when they defeated lowly Dingli Swallows thanks to a Keith Bonello soliatry goal scored with a majestic header in the first half.

It was a fully deserved victory for Gudja who should have won by a bigger margin.

But the young Dingli goalkeeper Dunstin Zarb distinguished himself with some fine saves, while the Gudja players did the rest missing some good scoring opportuniteis in front of goal.

The result pushed a sorry Dingli side further down in the table as they now trail Birzebbuga by a point as the latter obtained a very good point on Friday against promotion aspirants Marsaxlokk.

Gudja took control of the game from the early stages. They dominated possession with a solid midfield set up as Dingli were on the defensive.

However Dingli defended very well as Gudja had nothing to show to their credit in the first fifteen minutes of the match.

On 19 minutes Cosmin Anton passed towards Aleksandrov whose effort just missed the target. Four minutes later Gudja scored what proved to be the winner when Dino Cachia’s freekick was beautifully met by Keith Bonallo who powerfully headed the ball home.

The same Bonello had a good effort minutes later but his shot went wide, and just before the break a shot on the turn by Karl Vassallo went inches wide.

In the second half Dingli goalkeeper Dunstan Zarb denied Peter Paul Sammut with a desperate sortie and minutes Zarb was again providential saving a point blank effort from Aleksandrov.

On 75 minutes Dingli made their first venture upfront when Jonathan Sapiano tested Matthew Xerxen who saved in style.

In the final minutes Gudja had several other good scoring opportunities with Aleksandrov failing to connect in front of goal following a Ryan Sell good cross.

Five minutes from time Zarb arguably effected his best save when he denied Kiril Aleksandrov a certain goal.

In the dying minutes Mbita hesitated in front og goal and in stoppage time Mbita served Ryan Sell who shot slightly off target from an ideal position.

Dingli: D. Zarb, A. Portelli (M. Borg), K. Pace, F. Cauchi, R.Vella, E. Grech (J. Sapiano), K. Roomes (J. Anywanna), K. Formosa, J. Pace, E. Farrugia, L. Micallef.

Gudja: M. Xerxen, J. Tonna, A. Abela, R. Kovachev, G. Buttigieg, K.Bonello, K. Azzopardi (G. Chircop), C. Anton (J. Mbita), D. Cachia, P.P. Sammut (R. Sell),K. Aleksandrov

Referee: Sandro Spiteri