Qormi 1
Gzira U. 4
Qormi: D. Cassar, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam (M. Borg 72), A. Rozzi, M. Micallef, J. Lokando, M. Bangoura, L. Santana, R. Romeu, K. Soares (N. Ghio 64), T. Gusman (L. Farrugia 76)
Gzira U.: J. Haber, N. Muscat, Z. Scerri, A. Cohen, JC Corbolan (M. Beerman 64), C. Gatt Baldacchino, E. Zarate Bilbao, R. Briffa, G. Conti, S. Borg, H. Garba (J. Domoraud 64)
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst refs: J. Spiteri, D. Stankovic
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: H. Garba 8, N. Muscat 20, 60, A. Cohen pen 45, T. Gusman 52
Yellow cards: K. Soares 17, D. Mansi 45, G. Conti 74
BOV Player of the Match: N. Muscat
TMI Top 3: 1. N. Muscat, 2. A. Cohen, 3. Y. Yankam
Attendance: 494
Gzira United consolidated their 3rd place in the standings after they easily beat bottom placed Qormi 4-1 in the second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The Maroons built a three goal cushion in the first half through goals from Haruna Garba, Nikolai Muscat and an Andrew Cohen penalty. Qormi reduced the gap early in the second half, but their slight hopes were quashed soon after when Muscat scored his second and Gzira's 4th on the hour.
Gzira now have 38 points, but remain a full 8 points behind leaders Hibernians and six adrift of second placed Valletta.
On the positive side, the Maroons had striker Amadou Samb back in their squad after a long absence through injury.
Gzira scored twice in the opening 20 minutes to take a commanding lead and from then on, they eased their pressure although remaining firmly in command. However, they were still good enough to add a third goal just before the interval through a penalty.
The Maroons dominated from start to finish as Qormi had absolutely no reply.
The Yellow Blacks, who must have had little hope of upsetting the Maroons even before the start of the match, failed to provide the Maroons rearguard with any source of worry.
But in the second half, although it was still Gzira who dominated for most of the time, Qormi were a completely different outfit and were unlucky not to have scored more goals.
Following this defeat, it seems as if Qormi now need a miracle to avoid relegation. They are still anchored to the bottom place together with Pieta on 10 points.
Gzira had a perfect start as they took the lead on the 8th minute when Haruna Garba beat goalie David Cassar with a hard low shot.
On 15 minutes, a Garba incursion in the Qormi area was blocked in time before he could shoot past the onrushing Cassar.
In the 19th minute, Gzira doubled their lead when off a Corbolan cross, it was Nikolai Muscat who headed into the net past the helpless Cassar.
Qormi's first attempt arrived on 35 minutes, but it was a feeble shot from Bangoura which was saved without any difficulty by Gzira goalie Justin Haber.
In added time, Gzira even added a third goal to their tally when referee Philip Farrugia awarded them a penalty after Mansi brought down Garba in the area. From the spotkick,
Qormi showed more determination at the start of the second half and even managed to reduce the gap on 52 minutes when Tensior Gusman found the net with a low shot.
Five minutes later, it was Haber who denied Qormi a second goal as he blocked a dangerous shot by Bangoura.
On the hour, Gzira restored their three-goal cushion as a bad pass by Mansi set Nikolai Muscat in the Qormi area, and the latter made no mistake.
On 76 minutes, Haber again denied Qormi a goal as he turned to corner in style a Michael Borg freekick. From the corner, a melee ensued and twice Gzira defenders cleared shots from over the line.
Domoraud had a chance to score a fifth Gzira goal in the 83rd minute, but his shot was excellently turned to corner by Cassar.