Gzira United registered a double over Valletta beating the Citizens with a Maxwell Maia brace, a goal in each half. It was a deserved victory for the Maroons over a struggling Valletta side who suffered the second consecutive defeat, and for the second consecutive match Valletta failed to score.

After the mediocre display against league leaders Hamrun, Valletta at least showed some progress, especially in the second half, a second half in whicch the Lillywhites controlled the match for long stretches, and at least had some attempts at goal.

But the Maroons were more assertive in their play and more dangerous upfront, even though

Valletta could have avoided the two goals suffered. The Citizens are now hovering just above the relegation zone, and this week could be a crucial one for them having to face sliema in midweek and Hibernians on Sunday, two crunch matches which could be decisive for Valletta.

On their part Gzira are still in the title hunt and could possibly be within striking distance of leaders Hamrun and second placed Hibernians if they manage to win the game they have in hand.

The start was rather quite by both sides with Gzira more direct in their approach. Halfway through the first half, Gzira took the lead, a rather soft goal when Bonello failed to grasp a Maxwell Maia header from a corner action, with the ball bouncing off Zerafa and finishing past the goal line.

Minutes later Gzira were unlucky not to double the score when a Nikolai Muscat rising shot rattled the crossbar with Bonello completely beaten. Valletta hit the woodwork too when Piciollo rounded his opponent and his shot deflected by Steve Borg, deceived goalkeeper Curmi, but the ball finished against the base of the upright.

Just before the break Gzira went close again from a corner action with the ball going inches wide.

Three minutes into the second half Gzira doubled the score when Maxwell Maia had acres of free space on the left flank and from just inside the box beat Bonello with a low drive, with Bonello only deflecting the ball that finished just the same at the back of the net.

From then onwards Gzira elected to defend with Valletta taking full command of the proceedings. But the Citizens once again showed their limitations in attack, wiuth no presence in the Maroons’ area.

A Jonathan Caruana header went wide and on 69 minutes substitute Fontanella had the best chance but he shot wide when well placed. On 78 minutes goalkeeper Curmi made a great save off an Nwoko header. Six minutes from time ex-Valletta defender Steve Borg received a second booking for holding Fontanella and left his side with ten players for the remaining minutes of the match.