FLORIANA 0

GŻIRA UNITED 1

Garba 78

Gżira United will remain leaders of the BOV Premier League for another week after defeating Floriana 1-0 at the Hibs Stadium, yesterday. 

Leaders Gżira United started the encounter all guns blazing as they sought an early lead to take immediate control of the game.

After five minutes, Haruna Garba came close to unlock the score with a close-range header but his effort sailed over the bar.

On 10 minutes, Juan Corbalan beat his marker before attempting a curving effort but the ball found Enzo Ruiz in its trajectory who deflected into corner. 

Gżira had to wait until three minutes from the half-time whistle when the usual Garba dribbled his way into the box to fire a low-drive just to be denied by Inietim Akpan.

Floriana had the final say in the first half when Ignacio Varela leapt high over his marker but his towering header was saved by Gżira’s custodian Justin Haber. 

Maurizio Vella made Gżira feel his presence with a low drive from outside the penalty area but Haber was alert to avert the danger. 

Moments later, Gżira’s Nikolai Muscat attempted a right-footed effort from close-range just to be denied by inches.

On minute 64, Steve Pisani pounced on a loose ball and attempted a strike which sailed over the bar as neither team could draw first blood. 

10 minutes later, Garba darted into the box and was floored by Jurgen Pisani, however, referee Glenn Tonna, booked the Gżira striker for a simulation amid the Maroons’ protests. 

Nonetheless, the Nigerian forward was not to be denied minutes later, when after a solo effort, he lobbed the ball over the oncoming Akpan to put the Maroons ahead. 

Floriana, however, were still well and alive in the game and they came close to level terms when Pisani tried to round the ball past Haber but failed to hit the target. 

Garba’s performance, however, was marred with a red card in the post-game after a brawl between players of both teams, with referee Tonna giving the marching orders to the Nigerian.