Gzira United started the new year in top shape easily disposing of bottom of the table side Senglea in a one sided affair.
It was rather too easy for the Maroons who returned to winning to keep up chasing the top teams in the standings.
Senglea were never really in the game, with their defensive plan shattered after only three minutes play.
Senglea’s hopes of a revival look bleak and their position at the bottom of the table is desperate to say the least, with Clive Mizzi’s side still in search of the first victory this season.
Gzira started immediately on the offensive and after barely two minutes went very close when a Correa deflected drive just missed the base of the upright.
From the resultant corner however Gzira took the lead when Maxwell Maia headed home from close range.
Senglea were in apparent difficulty and Gzira continued to weave their way towards the Senglea goal with relative ease.
On twelve minutes De Assis passed towards the unmarked Nikolai Muscat who first-timed well over the bar.
Three minutes later Davis created havoc on the left flank and opened up for Muscat whose grounder missed the target by a whisker.
Midway through the first half Portelli’ run on the right before putting Maxwell Maia through whose bombshell was brilliantly saved by Farrugia. Sixty seconds later Correa tried his luck with a long range effort but Farrugia was again on hand to save.
Eight minutes from the break however Farrugia could do nothing to stop Correa from scoring after a well orchestrated move by the Maroons.
A minute later Gzira put the game to bed when Maia penetrated deep on the left flank before passing towards De Assis who flicked home from close range.
The second part was more of the same with Gzira on the attack, even though these were less intense.
On the hour Correa’s point blank shot destined at goal was blocked by defender Uyi, with the same defender committing a penalty on Maia four minutes later. From the spot Davis sent Farrugia the wrong way.
Near the end Senglea had a couple of efforts to score a consolation goal, but in the end Gzira’s four-goal cushion remained intact.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
