Gzira U.                2

Glentoran           2

Gzira U: D. Cassar, C. Chaba’, A. Borg, M. Dias, L. Macula, F. Romero, Ewertton, B. Borg, J. Wilkson (R. Essaka), Thiaguinho, J. Mendoza.

Glentoran: A. McCarey, L. McCullogh, A. Wilson, R. Burns, S. McCartan, R. Marshall, D. O’Conchubhair, J. Singleton, A. Wightman (F. Sule), N. McGinn, C. Uzokwe (J. Donnelly).

Referee: Stefan Ebner (Austria)

Scorers: C. Uzokwe 9’, J. Wilkson 74’, B. Borg 41’, D. O’Conchubhair 48’,

Yelow cards: Thiaguinho, M. Dias, L. Macula,

Gzira obtained a 2-2 draw yesterday against Glentoran in the Conference League, leaving the qualification issue wide open, an issue which will be solved in Northern Ireland next week. After a horrific start, the Maroons settled down well playing the better football in the first half and deservedly turning the tide in their favour.

However in the second half Glentoran held the upper hand, obtaining an early equaliser, a result that remained unchanged till the end.

After only 20 seconds play Glentoran were awarded a penalty for a Thiaguinho handling infringement, but luckily for the Maroons Uzokwe’s Panenka style penalty kick sailed over the bar. On 9 minutes Gzira’s first scoring opportunity when Macula forced McCarey to make a great save.

But 60 seconds later Glentoran took the lead when Uzokwe made amends for his penalty miss when he scored with a free header from close range with the Gzira defence surely not well prepared.

The match was rather balance but with few scoring chances but on 29 minutes Gzira drew level when Macula nodded down towards Jose Wilkson whose first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper but the same Wilkson managed to hit home the rebound.

Six minutes later Gzira had another golden opportunity when Thiaguinho had a great move on the left and crossed towards Wilkson who missed a sitter in front of goal. But on 39 minutes Gzira took a deserved lead with a great goal in a fast break with Wilkson doing a great run before passing towards Macula who served the onrushing Brooklyn Borg who drilled beautifully home.

Gzira finished the first half on the offensive with another Macula drive from the edge of the area going wide.

Glentoran roared forward on the resumption and equalised on 48 minutes with a Daire O’Conchubhair header off a rather bad clearance from goalkeeper Cassar. This second half was played at a slower pace with Gzira unable to repeat the first half performance.

In other matches, Balzan obtained a 4-1 away win against Domzale while Birkirkara drew 1-1 against Maribor.