Gudja U 1
Hibernians 1
Gudja: J. Debono, J. Grioli, J. Bolanos, A. Miranda, Z. Cassar (M. Attard 78'), A. de Barros, H. Vella, A. Friggieri (J. Bondin 85'), G. Mensah, C. Santana Barroso (D. Grima 68'), R. Winchester
Hibernians: M. Jovicic, T. Tabone Desira, A. Agius, F. Apap, J. Mbong, D. Vella, B. Kristensen (G. Artiles 52'), J. Grech, C. Atsina (L. Barbosa 88'), L. Nanni, T. Groothusen (M. Beerman 74')
Yellow cards: A. Agius 9', B. Kristensen 13', F. Apap 28', G. Artiles 78' (H), J. Bolanos 94' (G)
Scorers: J. Grioli 50' (G), J. Grech 52' (H)
Referee: Stefan Pace
Ass. Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Theodore Zammit
Player of the match: Jake Grech (Hibernians)
TMI Best three: 1. J. Grech, 2. R. Winchester 3. G. Mensah
Attendance: 436
Newly promoted side Gudja United had a more than positive debut in their first ever Premier league game, obtaining a deserved draw against Hibernians. The result was a fair one with Gudja taking the lead early in the first half and with Hibernians obtaining a quick equaliser.
After these two quick goals Hibernians had the upper hand but Gudja never lost their composure to obtain a morale boosting first point.
Gudja had the first chance of the match with Friggieri who made his way inside the area to connect to a Winchester cross but his effort went wide. Five minutes later a Ferdinando Apap header found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed.
Gudja continued to share the exchanges on their debut day and on 22 minutes Winchester passed towards Gabriel mensah who fired a good shot that missed the target by a whisker. Seven minutes from the break mensah beat the offside trap but his close range effort was brilliantly saved by Jovicic.
On 41 minutes the Gudja custodian Debono made two great saves off two close range headers from Andrei Agius and Bjorn Kristensen to keep his side in the game.
On the resumption Gudja almost took the lead when Winchester, who realy left a good impression, dribbled past Apap before firing from an acute angle with his shot beating Jovicic but unluckily for him the ball hit the crossbar.
On 49 minutes Gudja again close to the opening gowl but Jovicic wasa again on the alert to save Zach Cassar's cross shot.
The goal was in the offing and Gudja took a somewhat deserved lead sixty seconds later when Carlos santan crossed towards Justin Grioli who headed home from close range.
Gudja's joy was shortlived as two minutes later Hibernians were back on level terms, thanks to a Jake Grech low drive that gave Debono no chance to save.
This goal gave Hibernians new lease of life and Gudja had to defend for long stretches for the rest of the match. Hibernians went close again with an Andrei Agius header that went inches wide and minutes later a Jake Grech effort missed the target. Late in the game Gudja almost stunned their opponents with Winchester missing a glorious chance in front of goal.