Gzira United beat Zejtun Corinthians

San Gwann-Zurrieq 1-1

After just four minutes San Gwann wasted a clear opportunity as Mario Caruana shot straight into Julian Azzopardi when alone infront of goal.

Then they created another dangerous opportunity through Lee Galea with Zurrieq coming back through Joseph Lia whose shot just missed the target.

In the 13th minute the Saints scored through Mauro Busuttil who was however in an offside position and the goal was not allowed to stand and two minutes later Zurrieq went very close as a short by Johan Briffa was blocked on the goal line by Chris Cacciattolo.

On 17 minutes Zurrieq broke the deadlock through a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area by Johan Briffa with San Gwann responding later on as a Chris Cacciattolo direct free-kick was saved with difficulty by Julian Azzopardi.

In the 37th minute the Saints were again very close through Miguel Francica.

After the break San Gwann dominated the proceedings and in the 55th minute Joseph Chidi found Chris Cacciattolo with a perfect pass and the latter’s shot was blocked by Julian Azzopardi.

Two minutes later Joseph Chidi hit just wide following a personal effort and in the 66th minute a Chris Cacciattolo free-kick was deflected to a corner-kick. Nine minutes from time San Gwann went very close to an equalizing goal but Miguel Francica shot just high over the bar from close-range.

All seemed lost for the Saints but in injury-time substitute Fabian Baldacchino obtained a deserved equalising goal for the Saints.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann

Zejtun C-Gzira U 0-1

Early on in the match the Corinthians were close through Kenneth Abela but gradually Gzira started to dictate the run of play and in the 16th minute a Cedric Sciberras free-kick was deflected to a corner-kick which was taken by Matthew Cocks and Sciberras’s first-time shot just missed the target.

Four minutes later Gzira took the lead through their captain Matthew Cocks who managed to beat Zejtun’s custodian Ranier Farrugia directly from the corner-kick.

In the 23rd minute Gzira won a free-kick which was taken by Cedric Sciberras and Keith Bonello’s header was saved by Farrugia.

Then a shot by Richard Attard just missed the target but in the 38th minute Zejtun were unlucky as a shot by Adrian Carabott was turned onto the upright by Gzira’s keeper Kyle Gerada.

After the resumption Zejtun increased the pressure and in the 49th minute a shot by Karl Vassallo was well saved by the Gzira keeper Kyle Gerada.

A minute later Gerada was again on hand to deny Zejtun’s striker Adrian Carabott and in the 60th minute the Corinthians were again very close through Darren Vella.

Zejtun sustained the pressure, again going close through substitute Carmel Formosa but ten minutes from time they suffered a setback when their defender Jason Cachia was booked for a second time and was sent off.

Zejtun tried till the very end to get an equaliser but were held out by a solid Gzira defence.

Three minutes into injury-time Gzira’s striker Ahmed Razak was booked for a second time and was sent off.

Referee: Marco Borg