GZIRA UNITED 1
Avila Perez, 83

TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0

Gzira United captain Moises Avila Perez scored the all-important goal in a low-key match characterised by a dearth of action and played in front of almost empty terraces.

The game developed into a balanced affair with both teams trying to break the respective defensive trenches with through balls or crosses.

Despite their edge in possession, Gzira could not find any fluent stride. So, set pieces were likely to do the trick. In the 23rd minute, Souleymane Diamoutene headed over on a free-kick by Andrew Cohen.

There was an immediate reaction from a cute move between Alex Nilsson and Triston Caruana that saw the former delivering the ball towards his skipper, who was just high with a header as Gzira sighed with relief.

Play grew more unproductive after the change of ends but suddenly Gzira were awarded a free-kick when Azzopardi fouled Juan Corbalan just outside the box. But from the ensuing kick, Ian Azzopardi sent his effort into the four-man wall with Caruana clearing the danger.

At this point., Tarxien Assistant coach Twanny Dalli made a double substitution with Caruana and Azzopardi making way for Prendes and Julian Galea in a bid to rouse his side. The move almost brought immediate reward when Prendes found Galea in space but the former Melita striker was stopped by a Clifford Gatt Baldachino’s timely tackle.

On his part, Abdilla brought in Carlos Reyna for Louis Zome. But still the exchanges hardly raised any ripples from the stands.

Tarxien’s evening took a turn for the worse twelve minutes from the end when Alves collected his booking for dangerous play on Avila Perez. Their desperation increased when seven minutes from time, Gzira struck the killer blow.

Cohen directed a corner kick towards the goalmouth where Avila Perez prodded past Andrea Cassar.