Gudja United registered a very important win in a direct relegation clash after convincingly beating Santa Lucia.
Recent results were not encouraging especially for Santa Lucia whose last win dates back to November when they beat Birkirkara. On the other hand Gudja lost in their last outing against leaders Hibernians after getting four points from their previous two matches.
Both teams revamped their squads being active in the January transfer market following a dismal first half of the campaign.
Gianmarco Conti and Victor Luis Prestes Filho were missing through suspension for Santa Lucia as was Zuniga for Gudja.
In the first round match the protagonist took a point a piece following a 2-2 draw.
After 19 minutes a diagonal shot by Selemani was blocked by the Saints goalkeeper. Just a minute later Gudja once again near to breaking the deadlock but Gusman missed when well placed.
Santa Lucia responded in the 24th minutes when off a Tanti corner a Silva Mota header was cleared off the line. And on the half hour Plut missed the easiest of chances when he concluded wide from in front of goal.
Five minutes from the end of the first half Gudja once again dangerous once again through some good work by Selemani whose cross found Friggieri only for the latter to blast well over the bar.
In the 44th minute Gudja forged ahead through a low drive by Aidan Friggieri whose shot found the corner of the net. Santa Lucia responded immediately and in added time a Da Silva Souza free kick brought the best out of goalkeeper Zammit.
On resumption Gudja put the issue beyond doubt. In the 52nd minute a Selemani cross found Friggieri in the area whose shot gave Haber no chance at all.
And just four minutes later Cremona was the supplier from the right flank and Guzman finished off with a fine header.
The match was now practically over with Gudja controlling the proceedings and Santa Lucia a dejected lot. On 65 minutes Muchardi’s shot was saved by Haber. And three minutes later the same player saw his shot just miss out.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
