Gudja United 1
Żebbuġ Rangers 2

Żebbuġ Rangers put up a dominant performance to overcome Gudja United and go top of the Division One standings.

The Rangers were clearly the better side, creating several scoring opportunities but found Gudja goalkeeper Daniel Balzan in excellent form as he thwarted them time and again.

Żebbuġ were soon on the offensive and after eight minutes Angelo Catania was foiled by Balzan while two minutes later Matthew Gauci’s firm drive flew just over.

Renzo Kerr Cumbo’s Gudja finally threatened midway through the half when Aaron Agius picked Christopher Grech but his close-range header finished just wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Balzan again denied the Rangers when he blocked Catania’s header.

Żebbuġ forged ahead on 55 minutes when Catania slotted the ball home from the rebound after Kurt Zammit’s overhead kick had rattled the crossbar.

Four minutes later Balzan produced a fine save to keep out Hili’s volley.

Twenty minutes from time, Balzan pushed away Lee Galea’s shot while minutes later the Gudja custodian was alert to block Diego Pereira Fernando’s grounder.

But the Rangers sealed the points 15 minutes from time when Fernando beat Balzan with a low shot.

Balzan avoided more damage for Gudja when he showed great reflexes to keep out Hili’s shot.

Gudja pulled a goal back in stoppage time with a long-range shot from Deyan Farrugia.

Gudja: D. Balzan, I. Cachia, D. Bonnici (C. Portelli), G. Chircop, C. Maulgve, B. Bondin, X. Kapaj, C. Grech, D. Pirotta, J. Clifford, A. Agius (D. Farrugia).

Żebbug: J. Spiteri, R. Bakare, K. Sacco, G. McKay, K. Zammit (R. Spiteri), A. Catania (K. Borg), S. Hili (C. Pace), M. Gauci, D. Tabone, L. Galea, D. Pereira Fernando.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Man of the match: Sergio Hili (Żebbuġ Rangers).