Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1107757
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 APRIL 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS WARREN ZAMMIT DESPITE dominating the whole match, Gzira had to wait till the dying moments of the game in order to secure a 1-1 draw against Mosta. Both sides came into this match on a high following last week's results. With their win over Birkirkara, Mosta made sure that they will remain in the Premier League. On the other end, Gzira's win over Floriana ensured that they will play in the Europa League for the second consecutive year. Mosta made a flying start to the match as they forged ahead after just 6 minutes. Massimo Sam- martino's long ball forward from the right found Zachary Brincat who headed the ball past Antho- ny Curmi. As time went by, Gzira took sole control of the match and dominated their opponents. However, they couldn't make their pressure count as the Ma- roons failed to score. Gzira hit back on the 17th min- ute. Clifford Gatt Baldacchino fired a powerful shot from dis- tance that ended up marginally over. The post denied Gzira three minutes later. From a free-kick, Edison Bilbao Zarate sent a thumping volley that stamped off the post. Jesomnd Zerafa's men lost an- other opportunity on the 27th minute. Sacha Borg drilled a low shot towards Harba whose back heel effort from close range was blocked by Andreas Vella. The luck was definitely not on Gzira's side as they were denied by the post twice on the 40th minute. First it was Garba who anticipated Andreas Vella, but saw his close range shot hitting the post. From the rebound, the ball went into the path of Nikolai Muscat who fired a shot from inside the penalty area that also stamped off the post. Gzira remained on the offen- sive during the second half and threatened Mosta again on the 48th minute. Muscat drilled a low shot that forced a good save from Vella. Mosta replied two minutes later. Akeem Garnet Roach squared the ball towards James Brincat whose shot was pushed away by Curmi. Gzira lost another chance on the 51st minute. Garba passed the ball towards Zarate and the latter failed to hit the target from inside the penalty area. Ten minutes later, Corbalan sent a shot from inside the area that hit the side netting. Gzira hit the post for the fourth time on the 70th minute. Sub- stitute Andrew Cohen fired a stunning shot that hit the up- right. The ball fell for Muscat who placed the ball inside the net. However, the goal was dis- allowed as the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside. On the other end, Demir Imeri tried his luck from a free-kick, but his shot went over. Gzira remained dominant, but kept on losing numerous chances on goal. Another oppor- tunity which they failed to make something of was created on the 84th minute. Following a corner, Joseph Domoraud's first time strike sailed over. Garba finally equalised for Gzira during the additional time. The forward managed to make space for himself inside the pen- alty area before firing a low shot that gave Vella no chance. Mosta starting line-up: An- dreas Vella, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Gianluca Cuomo, Du- ane Bonnici (James Brincat-45), Massimo Sammartino (Kurt Zammit-89), Rafael Morisco, Tyrone Farrugia, Akeem Gar- net Roach, Demir Imeri (Kyle Frendo-80), Bob Tobi Jnohope, Zachary Brincat Gzira United starting line- up: Anthony Curmi, Nikolai Muscat, Zachary Scerri, Rodolfo Soares, Juan Carlos Corbalan (Fernando Barbosa-89), Clif- ford Gatt Baldacchino, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Roderick Briffa (Joseph Sofian Domoraud-52), Gianmarco Conti (Andrew Co- hen – 52), Sacha Borg, Haruna Zambuk Garba Referee: Alex Johnson Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Theodore Zammit Fourth Official: Andrea Scir- iha BOV Player of the Match: Ra- fael Morisco (Mosta) Reckless Gzira leave it late to salvage a point Mosta Gzira United 1 1 HAMRUN Spartans can keep their hopes of clinching a spot in next sea- son's Europa League alive after secur- ing a 2-0 win over Pietà Hotspurs. Destined for the First Division, Pietà were playing for their pride in order to finish a difficult season on a posi- tive note. This was not the case for Hamrun as they needed points in order to stand a chance of clinching a spot in the Eu- ropa League. Hamrun forged ahead on the 35th minute. Carlos Henneberg drilled a low cross towards Kevin Tulimieri who placed the ball inside the net from an ideal position. The Spartans sealed the issue on the 76th minute. Karl Micallef's cross was met by Wilfried Domoraud who slot- ted the ball inside the net. Following this result, Pietàt Hot- spurs are now relegated as they will return to the First Division after just one season in Malta's top flight. Pietà Hotspurs starting line-up: Jacob St John Chircop, Takaki Ose, Dylan Agius, Paul Chimezie, Jan Bu- suttil, Gabriel Mensah, Juan Manuel Artiaga, Christian Grech, Uchenna Umeh Calistus, Ishaya Irmiya Jalo, Machedo Neto Hamrun Spartans starting line-up: Manuel Bartolo, Enrico Pepe, Triston Caruana, Carlos Henneberg, Wilfried Domoraud, Andre Scicluna, Marco Criaco, Karl Micallef, Orestis Nikolo- poulos, Caetano Calil, Kevin Tulimieri Referee: Mario Apap Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Ivan Galea Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit BOV Player of the Match: Wilfried Domoraud (Hamrun) Pietà Hotspurs relegated PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG