Gzira 5
Pieta H. 2
Gzira: J. Haber, N. Muscat (R. Briffa 35), Z. Scerri, R. Soares (F. Barbosa 61), A. Cohen, J. Corbolan, C. Gatt Baldacchino, G. Conti, S. Borg, J. Mengolo (M. Beerman 64), H. Garba
Pieta: N. Vella, T. Ose, N. Pace Cocks (G. Kekua 75), D. Agius, J. Busuttil, N. Pisani (J. Ghio 73), G. Mensah, JM Artiaga, C. Grech, S. Radovanovic (J. Scicluna 46), A. Macedo
Referee: I. Barbara
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, D. Stankovic
4th official: M. Spiteri
Scorers: G. Mensah 1, H. Garba 7, 57, J. Mengolo 37, 45, 63, N. Pisani 60
Yellow cards: A. Macedo 35, N. Pace Cocks 54
BoV Player of match: J. Mengolo (Gzira)
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Mengolo, 2. H. Garba, 3. G. Conti
Gzira United consolidated their third place in the standings when, as widely expected, they overcame bottom placed Pieta Hotspurs yesterday afternoon.
They overcame an early scare to run out easy winners with Justin Junior Mengolo scoring a hat-trick and Haruna Garba grabbing the side's other two goals.
The three points enabled Gzira to consolidate 3rd place in the standings on 45 points, five ahead of 4th placed Hamrun and seven over Sliema who will be playing today against Birkirkara.
The first half offered entertaining football apart from the three goals scored.
Pieta had an excellent start as they took the lead - Mensah making most of the chance that came his way after a lapse by Gzira central defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino.
But the Maroons quickly made amends as they managed to draw level just six minutes later and then went on to take the lead on 37 minutes after having gone close on several occasions.
On their part, Pieta did not stare at their opponents and even had their own good moments with Gzira goalie Haber, at least on one occasion, being a protagonist with a good blockage on a Nicholas Pisani incursion in the area.
In the second half, Gzira remained the better team as they continued to dominate.
The difference in class between the two teams was evident as the Maroons not only continued to dominate proceedings, but also managed to score more goals with Pieta also on the mark with a second goal of their own.
Pieta stunned Gzira with a goal after just 42 seconds. A Clifford Baldacchino short pass was intercepted by Gabriel Mensah who advanced a few metres before placing the ball wide of Haber's reach.
Three minutes later, it was Nicholas Pisani who received a good pass in the heart of the Gzira area, but goalie Haber managed to block the Pieta man's effort.
Gzira did not take long to equalise. On 7 minutes, Haruna Garba concluded into the net after a Nikolai Muscat header was not cleared by the Pieta defence.
On 10 minutes, it was Gatt Baldacchino redeemed himself for his earlier error as he cleared in extremis on Pisani who had received a good pass from midfield.
At the other end, Mengolo had a grounder saved by Nicholas Vella.
On 15 minutes, Gzira missed a glaring opportunity to take the lead when Nikolai Muscat set Garba beautifully. The latter advanced into the Pieta area, dribbled round goalie Vella, but then hesitated and finally (and incredibly) hit the ball wide.
Gzira eventually took the lead on the 37th minute. It was Garba who set the totally unmarked Mengolo. The latter advanced from midfield and then hit home past the onrushing Vella.
In the 41st minute, Gzira again went close when a Mengolo cross found substitute Roderick Briffa heading just over the bar from an ideal position.
Gzira made it 3-1 in first half added time when Mengolo headed home a good cross from the left.
At the start of the second half, Gzira almost scored a fourth goal. Garba bustled his way into the Pieta area on the right and crossed towards Cohen whose effort beat goalie Vella, but Christian Grech managed to clear from over the line.
In the 49th minute, Cohen set Conti who saw his effort blocked by goalie Vella.
In the 57th minute, it was Garba who scored the 4th goal as he won a tackle with a Pieta defender on the edge of the area and beat Vella with a low shot.
Three minutes later, Pieta reduced the arrears through Nicholas Pisani who hit home a Mensah cross.
The goal feast continued on the 63rd minute when Gzira scored a fifth goal. A Garba shot hit the upright and Mengolo was on hand to tap in the ball into the net for his hat-trick.
In the 76th minute, Haber had to dive sideways to save a good effort by Mensah.
At the other end, on 85 minutes, it was substitute James Scicluna who missed a good chance for Pieta, hitting wide after forcing his way into the Gzira area.