GŻIRA UNITED           3

BALZAN                    0

Gżira United laid down a marker as three goals from Haruna Garba put them on their way to a convincing 3-0 win over ten-man Balzan at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.

Balzan almost struck after eight minutes when Milos Lepovic sent Alex Alves through and the latter anticipated goalkeeper Justin Haber but his drive was cleared off the line by Roderick Briffa.

Gżira replied when Amadou Samb picked Garba whoseshot was  blocked by Steve Sultana.

Milos Lepovic tried his luck with a cross shot from the left on the 31st minute which was parried by Haber.

In added time, Gżira had an excellent opportunity to take the lead.

Sljivic pulled Nikolai Muscat by the shirt and the Balzan defender received a second yellow card by referee Alan Mario Sant and was therefore was sent off.

Gżira were awarded a penalty but Samb’s effort was parried by Sultana in two attempts.

The Maroons, however, managed to break the deadlock eleven minutes into the second half.

Muscat served Garba on the left and the latter’s conclusion, deflected off Michael Johnson, had the better of Sultana.

Ten minutes from time, Gżira doubled the score.

Briffa served Garba just outside the area and with a fine rising shot, the Nigerian striker saw the ball hit the crossbar before ending at the back of the net.

But it was not over yet as five minutes later, Garba exchanged the ball with substitute Jorginho on the left with the former rounding the goalkeeper before tapping home from close range.

Haruna Garba was voted as the BOV Player of the match.