Gżira United 4
St George’s 0

Gżira United will return to the top flight next season as Division One champions after trouncing the already-relegated St George’s 4-0 yesterday to secure the title.

It was a fitting end to a memorable season for the Maroons who ended their league commitments unbeaten and will now look forward to establishing themselves in the Premier League after a lapse of 34 years.

Darren Abdilla’s side took just five minutes to forge ahead.

Ian Zammit’s free-kick from the left found Jonathan Bondin who nodded into the path of Jamie Pace and the veteran midfielder hit home from close range.

Gżira continued to dictate matters.

On 10 minutes, Raphael Kooh Sohna came close to adding a second but shot just wide after being released by Gabriel Aquilina.

But, on 13 minutes, Zammit made it 2-0 with an inswinger after being set up by Kooh Sohna.

Karl Pulo tried his luck from the edge of the box but his effort was deflected away for a corner as the Maroons persisted in attack.

Gżira increased their lead five minutes before the break when Zammit put Kooh Sohna clear and the Cameroonian forward drilled his shot home.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, a Pulo cross-shot was partially saved by Carbonaro, and from the rebound, Aquilina tucked the ball home.

Five minutes from time, Carbonaro produced a superb save to keep away Aquilina’s fierce drive from just inside the box.

At the end of the match, Malta FA vice-president Chris Bonett presented the championship trophy to Gżira captain Daniel Scerri to kickstart the Maroons’ celebrations.

Gżira: A. Curmi (K. Gerada), A. White, R.L. Zome (J.P. Scerri), G. Aquilina, R. Kooh Sohna (G. Muscat), J. Pace, D. Scerri, J. Bondin, Y. Tonna, K. Pulo, I. Zammit.

St George’s: C. Carbonaro, I. Uwadia, M. Abdul Rezak, M. Brincat, L. Grech, M. Mentosa, G. Gesualdi, R. Mizugashira, K. Abela (A. Wait), L. Vella (M. Mamo), R. Brignone.

Referee: Ismael Barbara.

Best player: Karl Pulo (Gżira United).

Ħamrun Spartans 1
Żebbuġ Rangers 0

Ħamrun Spartans celebrated their promotion to the Premier League after edging past Żebbuġ Rangers 1-0 yesterday.

Jake Grech grabbed the winner as the Spartans finished second in the standings, three points behind champions Gżira United.

The Reds dominated but had to wait until the 32nd minute to open the scoring.

Saturday Nanapere released Grech who fired home to the delight of the numerous Ħamrun fans at the Tedesco Stadium.

The pattern of the game did not change much in the second half with the Spartans seeing more of the ball but failing to score more goals.

An Alan Tabone free-kick found Nanapere on the right spot but he headed wide. Ħamrun tried to find a way through from the flanks but the Rangers held tight.

Another Tabone free-kick, on 66 minutes, was deflected away for a corner.

After that, the game died down with the Spartans looking happy to administer their slim lead before the party celebrating their return to top-flight football after an absence of four years got underway.

Ħamrun: F. Tabone, P. Chircop, G. Azzopardi, M.A. Borg (M. Busuttil), M. Hrubsa, J. Grech, R. Refalo, A. Tabone, S. Nanapere (M. Bartolo), E. Briffa, H. Garba.

Żebbuġ: J. Spiteri, R. Bakare, G. McKay, O. Rababah (A. Catania), A. Agius, T. Paris (J.P. Formosa), M. Gauci, D. Tabone, L. Galea, I. Meli, S. Borg.

Referee: Jurgen Spiteri.

Best player: Alan Tabone (Ħamrun Spartans).

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