Gżira United maintained their perfect start to the Closing Round after seeing off Birkirkara in the rescheduled clash at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The encounter had originally been set for Friday evening but was pushed to Sunday following a technical problem with one of the goalposts at the venue.
The Maroons delivered another solid performance to register a second straight win, underlining their credentials as strong contenders for a Top 6 finish.
Birkirkara were the first to show intent, with Jacques Bayo striking the side-netting before Alessandro Coppola tried his luck but sent his effort over the bar. The Stripes continued to press, with Stephen Makoma also coming close only for his attempt to be blocked by the Gżira defence.
The turning point arrived on 70 minutes when Birkirkara were reduced to ten men after Francisco Lopez was shown a straight red card for a violent challenge on Andrew Borg.
Gżira wasted little time in taking advantage, breaking the deadlock just two minutes later as Bonilla Calderon curled a superb free-kick into the net.
Maxuell Maia nearly doubled the lead soon after but dragged his shot narrowly wide, yet the Maroons made sure of the points deep into stoppage time when new signing Stasa Basic added a second to seal the victory.
Floriana overcome Mosta
Floriana recovered from a lightning-fast setback to overcome Mosta and claim their second straight victory in the Closing Round.
The Greens appeared in for a difficult afternoon when they conceded after just 27 seconds, but they kept their composure and responded with a goal in each half, with their superior quality eventually proving decisive.
Mosta caught Floriana cold almost immediately as Cheikh Diamanca slipped Prince Chubizor through on goal, and the Nigerian forward showed great composure to lift the ball over the advancing Cioletti to give his side an early advantage.
Floriana reacted positively and nearly hit back on six minutes when Federico Varela tested goalkeeper Akpan with a powerful drive, before the midfielder was denied again from the rebound. The Greens continued to push forward and Rui Areias was presented with a good chance on 16 minutes, but he fired over after being put through.
Their persistence paid off two minutes later in spectacular fashion, as Varela curled a superb effort from an angled position outside the area into the top corner, leaving Akpan with no chance.
Mosta thought they had regained the lead on 34 minutes when Joao Victor’s cross caused chaos in the Floriana area, but the move was halted as Diamanca failed to keep the ball in play before the eventual finish.
Floriana started the second half with renewed intensity and needed just five minutes to complete the turnaround. Jake Grech struck a fierce effort that flew past Akpan to put the Greens ahead.
Floriana kept control of the match, though Mosta remained a threat on the break. Seven minutes from time, Zachary Brincat came close to levelling when his volley crashed against the crossbar, and Cioletti was forced into another save from the rebound as Floriana held firm to seal the points.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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