Gzira United 3
Hibernians 2
Gzira U: A. Curmi, G. Muir, C. Gatt Baldacchino (S. Diamoutene), S. Kamana, K. Pulo, M. Avila Perez, R. Briffa, A. Cohen, N. Okoye, S. Tounkara, A. Samb (Z. Scerri)
Hibernians: A. Hogg, M. Kreuzriegler, R. Gomes, J. Lima (D. Vella), R. Soares, M. Dias, J. Degabriele (J. Mbong), B. Kristensen (C. Failla), J. Elias, A. Agius, M. Sahanek
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: J. Spiteri, W. Debattista
4th official: I. Barbara
Scorers: A. Samb 20 pen, 77, M. Kreuzriegler 45+, C. Failla 87 pen, A. Cohen 90+
Yellow cards: S. Kamana, R. Gomes, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Dias, J. Elias, A. Samb, M. Avila Perez
Red cards: R. Gomes, M. Dias
Player of the match: A. Samb (Gzira U)
TMI top 3: 1. A. Samb 2. R. Soares 3. S. Kamana
Attendance: 791
Photos: Domenic Aquilina
Gzira midfielderder Andrew Cohen snatched an added time winner against his former club, with a spectacular curling shot, sending the Maroons four points clear at the top of the Premir League overnight to preserve Gzira's 100 per cent record in the league.
As excitement and drama unfolded in this eventful match, surprise leaders Gzira looked like being unable to see the game through despite being on top and in front for large spells against nine-man Hibernians.
Amadou Samb had put Gzira in front with a penalty and Hibernians were reduced to ten men after 20 minutes but the champions, who missed a penalty themselves, hit back with an equaliser before halftime.
Hibernians were further depleted after Dias' sending off past the hour and Gzira looked home and dry when Samb again gave them the lead on 77 minutes. But Hibernians looked like pulling up a shock result, drawing level through a Clayton Failla penalty five minutes from normal time, only for Cohen to score deep into four minutes of added time and inflict the first defeat for the champions.
The Maroons began brightly against an unchanged Hibernians team, again without Clayton Failla in their starting line-up.
Keeper Hogg was called to hold out Cohen's free kick and then Briffa whipped a long cross inside the Hibernians area. Samb failed to connect and was thwarted by the Hibernians' shot-stopper within the opening five minutes.
The match had several turning points, the first coming after 20 minutes. There was no doubt about Gzira's penalty award when Okoye's shot was held by Rui Gomes' outstretched arm inside the Hibernians area, but the referee also booked the Hibernians defender for the second time in the match and eventually sent him off.
The champions were also awarded a penalty five minutes later after Gzira defender Gatt Baldacchino fouled the advancing Degabriele on the edge of the area.
Degabriele however struck the upright and the chance went begging.
With Gzira enjoying numerical superiority, Samb's scorching change of pace and excellent positional sense, at times ripped Miller's imposing three man backline apart as Andrei Agius dropped at the back.
Towards the half hour a Muir rasping free kick was held out by the outstretched Hogg.
The champions looked struggling to find their footing, but were unlucky not to draw level on 36 minutes. Soares picked a Kristensen square pass from outside the Gzira area and thumped a shot against the bar.
The scoreline would surely have been more decisive for Gzira had Okaye taken proper advantage of Tounkara's inviting low cross a minute later.
Instead, Hibernians equalised in the half's added time. Off a Lima corner, Martin Kreuzriegler surprised keeper Curmi with a soft touch of the ball.
The rhythm of the match dipped significantly after the interval.
Gzira were content to sit deep and frustrate their opponents. Hibernians rarely looked like scoring as they ran out of ideas as to how to find a way through the massed Maroon defence.
Things turned worse for the champions on 63 minutes. Dias was also sent off for a second caution, after passing some remarks towards the referee.
Hibernians drafted in Joseph Mbong for Degabriele as Gzira tried to exploit spaces on the flanks.
Gzira thought they had regained the lead on 70 minutes, but Samb was deemed offside when he headed home Muir's cross.
But there was no denying the Maroons seven minutes later. Amadou Samb robbed Mbong of possession, advanced and beat keeper Hogg with a low drive.
Gzira were on the brink of victory but with five minutes remaining, Hibernians won another penalty, for Avila Perez' foul on Vella, and substitute Clayton Failla scored what looked like a surprise equaliser.
Cohen was soon to break the Paaolites' hearts however in the game's added time with a dramatic winner.
Virano hands Senglea a late winner
Senglea A 1
Birkirkara 0
Senglea: T. Aquilina, J. Bondin, S. Bonnici, A. Terracciano, I. Azzopardi (J. Farrugia 10'), H. Vella (T. Vella 74'), M. Garzia, N. Virano, R. Caseres, I. Paz, N. Palmieri (M. Escobar 68')
Birkirkara: P. Schranz, C. Attard, N. Vukanac, M. Landry (B. Muscat 86), R. Camenzuli, M. Guillaumier, M. Andelkovic, L. Maia (A. Nilsson 8') (K. Zammit 73'), B. Fernandez de Brito, J. Grech, E. Nfor
Yellow Cards: C. Attard 48' (B), H. Vella 61', N. Palmieri 64' (S)
Scorer: N. Virano 86' (S)
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, Peter Abela
TMI Top 3: 1. N. Landry (B), 2. I. Paz (S) 3. M. Andelkovic (B)
BOV Player of the match: Ivan Paz (Senglea Athletic)
Newly promoted Senglea Athletic continued their bright start to the BOV Premier League, beating Birkirkara 1-0 with a late winner, to increase Birkirkara's woes as now Senglea are three points in front of the stripes.
The performance of Birkirkara in Paul Zammit's return last game wasn't five-star, and a confirmation was expected in this game. But the performance was similar to last week and Zammit has a lot of work to do in order to prepare a team to fight in the upper position of the table.
Paul Zammit made two changes from the game against Mosta, as Matthew Guillaumier started instead of Llywelyn Cremona, while Mulemo Landry had a solid debut in defence. On the other side, Steve D'Amato kept faith in the same team that defeated Lija Athletic last week.
Birkirkara held the initiative in the first half but failed to create any serious danger towards Timothy Aquilina. In fact they only had one shot on target near the end of the first half from Matthew Guillaumier, but his effort from outside the box was saved with no difficulty.
Senglea didn't create any real trouble for Philip Schranz, but had some insidious attacks that failed to be capitalised due to bad passes in the third zone of the pitch.
The second half kept the same rhythm and Birkirkara had the best chance in the 64th minute, as Matthew Guillaumier received a good through ball from Mislav Andelkovic, dribbled past Steve Bonnici but his shot finished over the bar. The Stripes had another chance a minute later, with a low diagonal shot from Jake Grech that finished inches off target.
Senglea could have opened the score fifteen minutes from the end of the game but Rene Caseres failed to tap in from the small box after a cross from the left side. Birkirkara kept pressing to find the goal, and six minutes later, Ryan Camenzuli tried with a shot from outside the penalty area, but Aquilina was concentrated to save.
Birkirkara were punished in the least moment that they expected it. Four minutes from time, Ivan Paz crossed from the left side to Nicolas Virano who fired past his opponents and goalkeeper Philip Schranz in the bottom right corner. Paul Zammit's team continued to attack in order to save at least a point, but didn't have much time left, as Senglea defended bravely, kicking every ball at the far end to claim a precious win.
Ħamrun fail to beat nine-man Balzan
Hamrun S 0
Balzan 0
Ħamrun: S. Sultana, K. Micallef, D. Zerafa, T. Souza de Oliveira (M. Jose Marinho 77'), G. de Castro, T. Caruana, T. Agius, L. Micallef, T. de Paula, F. Marino Clavero (D. Camilleri 34'), V. Gomes dos Santos (P. Chircop 42')
Balzan: I. Janjusevic, J. Grioli (S. Arab 25'), M. Johnson, E. Serrano Valero, S. Bezzina, A. da Paixao Alves, P. Fenech, U. Ljubomirac, R. Fenech, C. Mendes (A. Effiong 46'), B. Kaljevic
Yellow Cards: J. Grioli 23', P. Fenech 39', B. Kaljevic 45', M. Johnson 50', E. Serrano Valero 82' (B), T. Souza de Silveira 45', D. Camilleri 45', D. Zerafa 60' (Ħ)
Red Cards: P. Fenech 58', B. Kaljevic 62' (B)
Referee: Matthew Degabriele
Assistanti Referees: Roberto Vella, Theodore Zammit
TMI Top 3: 1. A. da Paixao Alves (B) 2. G. de Castro (Ħ) 3. E. Serrano Valero (B)
BOV Player of the match: Alex da Paixao Alves (Balzan)
Attendance: 885
Balzan will be more satisfied with the final result after playing half an hour with nine men, but as the final result stands, Balzan failed for the third time in the first four games to clinch a win. Ħamrun on the other side gave a tough ride to their opponents in the first hour, but disappointed when they had numerical advantage.
The game was characterised by several arguments and yellow cards, as the referee Matthew Degabriele had a tough job to control the game.
Ħamrun coach Jacques Scerri made three changes as he included Steve Sultana in goal instead of Jake Galea, while Terence Agius and Lydon Micallef started against their own club. Two changes for Marco Micovic as Ryan Fenech and Alex da Paixao Alves were chosen instead of Milos Lepovic and Alfred Effiong respectively.
The first action to note came after seven minutes as Brazilian Alex da Paixao Alves tried with a shot that finished over the bar. Ħamrun created their first danger six minutes later, with a low shot by Francisco Marino Clavero that finished wide.
Alves was the most dangerous player in the beginning for Balzan. This time on the 17th minute, his effort from distance finished inches over the bar. Three minutes later, Ħamrun responded again as Valerio Gomes dos Santos advanced, but his low shot hit the upright.
Balzan could have taken the lead as they were awarded a penalty before half time for a foul on Bojan Kaljevic, but from the penalty spot, the shot by Carlos de Fiori Mendes went well over the bar. A minute later, Steve Sultana had to tip into a corner a long range effort by Paul Fenech.
The game reduced its rhythm in the second half but had a twist as Balzan were first sent-off in the 58th minute after Paul Fenech received his second yellow card, while four minutes later, Bojan Kaljevic was sent-off after he passed remarks to the referee.
Despite having an advantage of two players, Ħamrun weren't dangerous and in fact Balzan looked to be with a numerical advantage. The only shot by Ħamrun came in the 90th minute with a shot from distance by Chircop that was saved by Janjusevic.
A minute later, Balzan almost scored the winning goal as from a counter-attack, the ball finished in the direction of Alfred Effiong who hit from the penalty area, but Sultana saved the shot into a corner.
Lija prove a point
Naxxar L. 1
Lija A. 1
Naxxar L: C. Nicht, S. Fenwick, R. Grech, M. Micallef, D. Bonnici, G. Nagaoka (D. Falzon), D. Bustos, A. Buhagiar (M. Fenech), N. Ousseynou, A. Cascaval, A. Mendy
Lija A: L. Bonnici, P. Babic, L. Muscat, D. Scerri, E. Beu, L. Schembri (C. Cassar), A. Borg, A. Bello Osagie, M. Clinch, O. Sidibe (M. De Souza), D. Leeflang
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst.refs: D. Sultana, S. Attard
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: L. Schembri 34, D. Bustos 61
Yellow cards: A. Bello Osagie, N. Ousseynou, D. Scerri, D. Leeflang
Red card: N. Ousseynou
Player of the match: D. Bustos (Naxxar L)
TMI top 3: 1. D. Bustos 2. A. Bello Osagie 3. R. Grech
Daniel Bustos rescued a point for Naxxar Lions, scoring past the hour, to deny Lija Athletic a first league win, but in the process this was Lija's first point of the campaign that had started rather badly.
For Lija this was a much needed draw after their disappointing three successive opening defeats. It was also a deserved one for Joseph Galea's side who played with assurance and togetherness for the bulk of the contest, although they had to absorb long spells of pressure in the last half hour, after taking a first-half lead through Lee Joe Schembri.
Naxxar could take some encouragement from the draw against Valletta the previous week. Moreover, they bolstered their defence with the inclusion of two new foreign players. Adrian Cascaval from Moldova played as centre back alongside Ousseynou while Frenchman Amaud Mendy was deployed in front of their four-man backline.
They enjoyed the lion's share of possession but their dominance can't mask the fact that Lija's keeper Luke Bonnici performed tidily rather than heroically.
Lija meanwhile included centre back Predrag Babic and wide player McAllister Clinch from the start.
Although Lija showed more endeavour in the early stages, overall there was a lack of quality from these two newly promoted sides.
The first half hour produced only one shot on target and that was a tame effort from Beu, straight at the goalkeeper, after chasing a Bello Osagie diagonal pass.
But Lija suddenly jerked into shape and took the lead past the half hour. Bello Osagie slid a pass down the right flank which Leee Joe Schembri collected and, after advancing and cutting towards the middle past his opponent, beat keeper Nicht from a tight angle.
Although Naxxar began to dominate possession and territory after the restart, they failed to take a more direct approach in their play. The audible frustration of the majority of their fans in attendance was growing.
Instead, however, Lija resumed control of proceedings, using the ball efficiently.
But in Daniel Bustos, Naxxar possessed a player who increasingly asserted himself on proceedings and appeared to be on a one-man mission to get the Lions back into this contest.
His deep free kick from the right had flashed across the Lija goal before, past the hour, he unleashed a defiant strike, from some 25 metres out, that rendered keeper Bonnici helpless.
That equaliser served to give Naxxar greater confidence. Darren Falzon and Mark Fenech were drafted in and on 77 minutes Naxxar thought they had scored a winner as Fenwick ran inside the Lija area, after picking Bustos' through pass, but his low diagonal drive rebounded off the foot of the post and the ball was cleared by Babic.
Photos: Domenic Aquilina
The boys in blue from Naxxar maintained the initiative, even if reduced to ten men for the final five minutes, after their central defender Ousseynou was sent off for a second caution after a nasty collision with Bello Osagie.
But Lija stood firm, maintained their poise, and went home with a first point.