Gżira United 1
Mqabba 0

Gżira have all but put their minds at rest in their fight against relegation after edging past bottom-placed side Mqabba yesterday.

Yanis Tonna and Ademola Shenwono were outstanding for the Maroons while Mqabba failed to show guile and determination needed to obtain results they desperately need.

Gżira dominated the first 45 minutes and after four minutes Sunny Ogbemuda hit a half volley that finished inches wide.

Four minutes later Simon Shead controlled the ball well just outside the Mqabba area but his shot just missed the target.

The best scoring opportunity came on 25 minutes when Shead effort was deflected into the path of Ogbemuda whose shot was cleared off the line by Rotmi Akande.

On 53 minutes, Gzira were awarded a penalty when Aaron Xuereb fell in the area following a contact with Mauro Bonnici and John Anegbe. Xuereb picked himself up to convert the resultant penalty.

Four minutes later Tonna should have made it 2-0 when he played a good one two with Shead, but with only the goalkeeper to beat he sliced the ball wide.

On 62 minutes Ogbemuda headed just wide from a Shead cross as Gordon Camilleri’s side continued to press forward.

On 80 minutes Mqabba could have drawn level when substitute Mirko Perez turned well to hit a firm drive but goalkeeper Simon Agius did well to push the ball away.

With three minutes to go Kris Calleja was forced to effect a fine save to keep out Xuereb’s shot from a free-kick as the Maroons ended the match on the offensive.

Gżira: S. Agius; A. White, P. Grima, J. Chetcuti, A. Xuereb, S. Meilak, Y. Tonna, J. Hussey, A. Shennowo, S. Ogbemudia, S. Shead (J.P. Vella).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, J. Anegbe, M.A. Psaila, D. Azzopardi, C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat, M. Bonnici, J. Okonkwo, A. Caligari, R. Akande (M. Perez).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Yanis Tonna (Gżira).