Gudja United 2
Gżira United 4
Despite playing for more than 70 minutes with a player less, Gżira United managed to preserve their unbeaten run as they scored two late goals to see off Gudja United.
Gżira looked set to win with ease, but Jonathan Bondin’s sending-off gave Gudja courage as the relegated side also managed to draw level.
But, in the second half, Gudja dropped too deep and Gżira went on to score twice to all but seal promotion to the Premier League.
Gżira forged ahead after just two minutes. Brooke Farrugia darted into the box to shoot home from an acute angle.
The Maroons continued to attack and on nine minutes Ian Zammit found Raphael Kooh Sohna who slotted home from close range.
On 23 minutes, Gudja were back in the match when Didier Sohna was brought down in the box by Bondin. The Gżira defender was dismissed and, from the resultant penalty, Sohna beat Kyle Gerada, the Gżira United goalkeeper.
Gudja managed to level matters.
George Chircop’s free-kick was punched badly by the Gżira goalkeeper and Jurgen Ciantar lobbed the ball into the net.
The Maroons were stunned.
Gudja came close to forging ahead with Waseem’s effort cleared off the line by Karl Pulo.
But, two minutes from the end, Kooh Sohna headed into the path of Zammit who tapped home.
In stoppage time, Gżira put the game to bed with a fourth goal when Zome released Kooh Sohna who rifled past Azzopardi.
Gudja: J.C. Azzopardi, S. Micallef, D. Bonnici, D. Martini, T. Nappa Licari, G. Chircop, C. Grech, J. Ciantar (A. Cutajar), J. Waseem, C. Frendo (B. Cassar), D. Sohna.
Gżira: K. Gerada, Y. Tonna, R. Zome, G. Aquilina (L. Martinelli), R. Kooh Sohna (J.P. Scerri), J. Bondin, D. Scerri, G. Muscat, B. Farrugia (C. Montes Zuniga), K. Pulo, I. Zammit.
Referee: Glenn Tonna.
Man of the match: Ian Zammit (Gżira United).
Żebbuġ Rangers 4
Mqabba 2
Żebbuġ Rangers ended Mqabba’s four-match winning run after cruising to a merited victory.
Żebbuġ took the lead on 20 minutes. Goalkeeper Jonathan Debono failed to hold Aaron Agius’ cross and in came Keith Vella to stab home.
The Rangers doubled their lead on 39 minutes. Clint Farrugia fouled Godwin McKay inside the area and from the resultant penalty, Godwin McKay drilled the ball home.
Mqabba were rattled. On the stroke of half-time, Diego Pereira burst into the area and beat Debono with a low drive.
Mqabba pulled one back on 55 minutes when Paul Chimezie latched on to a long pass and beat Justin Spiteri with a firm drive.
But, on 63 minutes, Żebbuġ restored their three-goal lead when Pereira crossed the ball for Angelo Catania to make it 4-1.
Mqabba narrowed the deficit on 70 minutes, Brandon Grech hitting home from 25 metres.
The woodwork denied Żebbuġ a fifth goal as Agius saw his effort come off the upright.
Żebbuġ ended the match with 10 men after Rodrick Spiteri was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Żebbuġ: J. Spiteri, R. Bakare (J.P. Formosa), G. McKay, A. Catania, A. Agius, M. Gauci, D. Tabone, K. Vella, R. Spiteri, D. Pereira, S. Borg (M. Camilleri).
Mqabba: J. Debono, D. Aquilina (A. Farrugia), M. Bonnici (A. Demir), A. Abela, C. Farrugia, A. Mello de Silva, C. Calleja, K. Farrugia, P. Chimezie, B. Grech, I. Galea (R. Caruana)
Referee: Etienne Mangion.
Man of the match: Angelo Catania (Żebbuġ Rangers).