St George’s 3
Gżira United 2

St George’s beat Gżira by the odd goal in five in a thrilling match which saw three players sent off.

The Maroons looked on their way to victory when taking a two-goal lead by the end of the first half.

But the Saints produced a storming comeback on the restart to clinch a fine victory that lifted them to fourth place.

Gżira took the lead on eight minutes when Shawn Vella hit a low shot past Galea.

On 17 minutes the Maroons protested for a penalty when Vella went down following a contact with Emanuel Sevasta, but the referee waved play on.

On the half hour Gżira were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Tabone was dismissed after handling the ball outside the area in an attempt to block Jhonathan Bernardo Mariano’s lob.

Despite having a player less, Gżira made it 2-0 on 42 minutes. Bjorn Bondin sent a cross towards Vella who stabbed home from close in.

St George’s looked a transformed side on the restart.

On 46 minutes they bridged the gap when Mariano beat Kyle Gerada with a low shot.

Numerical parity was restored on 62 minutes when Abdul Razak was dismissed for dissent.

Gżira had Tonna shown the red card on 69 minutes for a second bookable offence.

St George’s now had their tails up and drew level on 80 minutes when Dylan Sammut hit past Gerada.

The Saints pushed more men forward and they struck the winner on 87 minutes when Jerry Anywannu rifled the ball home following a short clearance.

St George’s: T. Galea, K. Tanti, D. Sammut, A. Bonello, A. Ellul (C. Grech), E. Sevasta, J. Farrugia, E. Amaira, J. Gerada (J. Anywanwu Udochukwu), J. Bernardo Mariano, M. Abdul Razak.

Gżira: F. Tabone, S. Bonello (K. Gerada), R. Forace, A. White (D. Ciantar), J. Camilleri, J. Chetcuti, Y. Tonna, B. Bondin, S. Vella, S. Meilak, R. Deguara.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Man of the match: Jhonathan Bernardo Mariano (St. George’s).