Sliema W. 0
Gzira U. 2
Sliema W.: J. Galea, M. Mucciardi, J. Mintoff (M. Sansone 57), J. De Assis, R. Fenech, N. Ashong, F. Temile, E. Agius (A. Azzopardi 81), G. Adamovic, S. Biancardi, Y. Marzouk (JP Farrugia 65)
Gzira U.: J. Haber, DP Mambouana (C. Gatt Baldacchino 79), R. Soares, A. Cohen, J C Corbolan, E. Zarate Bilbao (N. Muscat 89), R. Briffa, S. Borg, PF Barbosa, A. Samb (Z. Scerri 76), H. Garba
Referee: M. Spiteri
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, D. Sultana
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: S. Biancardi o.g. 27, A. Samb 56,
Yellow cards: J. Mintoff 32, F. Temile 34, PF Barbosa 36, E Bilbao 42, Zarate, N. Ashong 62,
Red card: R. Fenech 45
Player of the match: A. Samb
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Samb, 2. A. Cohen, 3. F. Temile.
Attendance: 668
Gzira United beat their neighbouring rivals Sliema to join Hamrun at the top of the standings on seven points.
A Stefano Biancardi own goal midway through the first half and another from Amadou Samb in the second half gave the Maroons the three points to overtake the Wanderers.
The 10-man Sliema were a disappointing outfit and never looked like producing the same form which saw them winning their opening two matches convincingly.
They even contrived to miss a penalty at a time when the score was still 1-0, and also had Ryan Fenech sent off at the end of the first half to play the whole second half in 10 men.
Sliema were coming from two consecutive and impressive victories against Valletta and Floriana while Gzira had collected four points from their opening two clashes.
On the other hand, this was a confirmation of the strength of the Gzira side which is expected to figure prominently in the race for the title.
In the first half, exchanges were more or less shared and both sides created chances which, however, were never converted.
It had to be an own goal which broke the ice midway through and Gzira kept their lead comfortably till the interval.
In the second half, the Maroons were clearly the better outfit, but Sliema, in 10 men after the dismissal of Ryan Fenech due to some remarks towards the referee, should have got back into the match but missed the chance of a leveller when they missed a penalty, just before Gzira scored their second goal.
Gzira had a strong start and on six minutes, Amadou Samb had a shot from the edge of the area going over.
Gzira maintained the initiative and on 16 minutes a Cohen effort from 20 metres ended just over.
A few moments later, from a Corbolan cross, it was Haruna Garba who missed with a header in front of goal.
At the other end, it was Temile who tested Haber, but the Gzira goalie managed to turn to corner.
Gzira opened the score on 27 minutes when from a Samb cross, it was Sliema defender Biancardi who unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.
In the 38th minute, Sliema threatened through a De Assis header following a good cross from the right by Temile.
Sliema insisted on attack but a Mucciardi freekick went high over the Gzira post.
In the 55th minute Sliema were awarded a penalty when De Assis was floored in the area by Rodolfo Soares. From the spotkick, Mucciardi saw his effort brilliantly saved by Justin Haber.
Soon after, at the other end, it was 2-0 when Samb received a good pass and advanced into the Blues' area where he avoided a tackle by an opponent to beat goalie Galea with a low shot.
This was the last action in this match which Sliema have to forget quickly to get back to their early season form.