Gżira United and Santa Lucia shared four goals and took a point a piece when in the first match played at the Tony Bezzina Stadium they figured out a 2-2 draw.

It was an important match for both teams as Gżira United who shared the sixth place with Balzan on 18 points wanted to secure a place amongst the top six as early as possible. In their last outing they succumbed their heads at the expense of Hibernians, losing by a 3-1 scoreline against the runaway leaders.

On the other hand Santa Lucia lying second from bottom on ten points, were desperate for points. From their last three matches they earned just one point. In fact they lost against Hamrun, and Floriana and drew with Balzan.

Missing for the Saints was Alan da Silva Souza who was sent the marching orders in their last match.

In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Santa Lucia took the lead as early as the first minute when a Plut shot was partially blocked by Radelic with Jamie Zerafa slotting the ball home from close range.

Gżira looked dejected and failed to mount an immediate reaction. In fact it was in the 20th minute when they went near following a good long ball by Bohrer which found De Assis but his shot was turned onto a corner by Archibald.

But on the half hour Santa Lucia doubled their lead when Rodriguez received a long ball in the opposing area and after rounding his direct opponent placed the ball in the net.

Gżira pressed forward nearing the end of the first half. And their pressure reaped dividends. On 36 minutes they reduced the deficit when after a Messias shot was blocked in came Jefferson De Assis who fired home.

The Maroons were now believing and four minutes from the end of the first half they drew level. Maxwell Maia was brought down in the area and from the resultant penalty the same player converted in style.

In the 52nd minute Gżira went near with goalkeeper Archibald failing to clear a long ball with Messias trying to find the net but Prates blocked into a corner.And on the hour off a Pisani corner Muscat’s header was saved by Archibald.

On 69 minutes Santa Lucia were reduced to ten-man when Victor Filho was given the marching orders.

It was all one way traffic now and in the 72nd minute Tabone was denied when his header was cleared off the line. And a few minutes later Gżira had Tabone sent off.

In the final minutes Gzira went near to striking a winner when off a Jefferson cross from the left flank Maia’s effort hit the crossbar.

Photo Domenic Aquilina