Birżebbuġa 1
Gudja United 3
Gudja United opened their second round commitments in style as they cruised past Birżebbuġa St Peter’s to notch their third successive victory.
It was a commanding performance from Joe Borg’s side who have now moved on top of the Division One standings on 28 points, two ahead of Pembroke, albeit with a game more.
Birżebbuġa, on their part, failed to build on last week’s victory over Rabat Ajax as they remained anchored at the bottom of the standings with six points.
Gudja forged ahead in their first real foray at goal when Angelo Catania received the ball inside the area but was floored by Sunday Eboh. From the resultant penalty, Mauro Brincat drilled the ball into the net.
Gudja’s new signing Joselito came close to score on his debut when he turned past two defenders but his effort was blocked by Birżebbuġa goalkeeper Boatto.
On 25 minutes Gilbert Camilleri headed just over from a Paul Camilleri free-kick.
Birżebbuġa finally threatened four minutes later when Jeremy Ani was unlucky to see his effort from a free-kick hit the bar.
But it was Gudja who doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Joselito picked Udo Nwoko who stabbed the ball home from close in.
On 63 minutes Gudja went close again when Carabott found Joselito who released the unmarked Nwoko but the latter was foiled by Boatto.
From the rebound Nwoko was again denied by the bar.
Birżebbuġa pulled a goal back on 84 minutes when Keith Muscat put Gary Caruana clear and he slotted the ball past Yenz Cini.
Joselito almost restored his team’s two-goal lead but his header was somehow kept out by Boatto.
But that was a temporary reprieve for Birżebbuġa as a minute from time Adrian Carabott put the game to bed when slotting home a Christopher Grech cross.
Birżebbuġa SP: A. Boatto, P. Camilleri (R. Micallef), J. Briffa, G. Camilleri, N. Clerico (G. Magri, D. Grech), L. Micallef, K. Muscat, J. Ani, G. Caruana, L. Camilleri, S. Eboh.
Gudja: Y. Cini, G. Sammut, R. Cauchi (C. Portelli), C. Farrugia, E. Micheletti Awoh, M. Brincat (C. Grech), G. Chircop, A. Cara-bott, U. Nwoko, A. Catania, Joselito.
Referee: Emmanuel Grech.
Man of the match: Angelo Catania (Gudja).