Gudja Utd 2

Luqa 0

Gudja defender Gianluca Bonnici retired after ten minutes as he felt unwell and, as they had no substitutes available, they were forced to play with ten players. Following this game both Luqa and Gudja occupy second placing on 15 points from eight games.

Luqa applied the early pressure. Shaun Gatt served Justin Cassar in the area and Gudja keeper Kurt Baldacchino folied him with a timely sortie, the same player then served Brian Cauchi in the area but he drove well off target. From a Gatt flag kick Baldacchino saved a header by Cauchi. 

In the first action by Gudja, Matthew Vella served Keith Inguanez with a through ball in the area and Luqa keeper Neil Faenza neutralised the ball by diving at his feet.

Luqa then mounted two actions in a row. From a cross from the left by Cauchi the ball was partly cleared and Ian Muscat missed the upright from the rebound and Terrence Cassar released Cauchi on the right flank and a defender cleared the ball to a corner following his cross.

In the 29th minute Gudja were denied by the woodwork. Wane De Battista released Brandon De Battista on the left flank who after dribbling past two opponents crossed the ball in the area to Matthew Vella who hit the upright.

At the other end, Cauchi was fouled on the right flank and following the free kick by Gatt, Wayne Cuschieri headed slightly out from inside the area.

Two minutes before the interval Gudja forged ahead. Wayne De Battista was fouled on the left edge of the area, Bradley Cassar floated a perfect ball in the area from the free kick and as the Luqa defenders performed the standstill act Ryan De Battista placed the ball in the roof of the net.

Three minutes after the restart Cauchi should have equalised for Luqa but he drove out from inside the area with only Baldacchino to beat after a perfect cross by Malcolm Coleiro.

Luqa kept pressing. Cauchi served Terrence Cassar with a square pass and Baldacchino saved his effort from outside the area. A flag kick by Gatt created havoc in Gudja’s area but the ball was somehow cleared.

From a flag kick by Justin Cassar the ball was partly cleared and Cauchi missed the upright by inches from his half volley.

Cuschieri served Cauchi in the area and denied him with a diving save.

Three minutes before the end Gudja put the issue beyond any doubt when Brandon Saliba served Wayne De Battista with a through ball outside the area who, after advancing, dribbled past the onrushing keeper Neil Faenza and scored with a grounder after entering the area. 

Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Player of the match: Wayne De Battista (Gudja Utd)