League

Gzira Ground
Spectators: 8045 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1945, VIP seats: 100) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Amadeo Farrugia made the kick off which started today's match. Harry Galdes struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Tony Dougall didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Nigret. In the 18th minute, Marco Van Huytvenne fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Thomas Mercieca, passed just outside the right post. In the 20th minute, Marco Van Huytvenne got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Tony Dougall made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Amadeo Farrugia in the 21st minute of play. Harry Galdes might have been able to make a better finish in the 24th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tony Dougall. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Harry Galdes ran back to his position shaking his head. Tony Dougall made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Amadeo Farrugia in the 27th minute of play. Nigret's Gabriel Bezzina suffered a concussion in the 30th minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. After 30 minutes, Marco Van Huytvenne mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Gzira United and the Nigret players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 31 played minutes Gzira United got a freekick which was hit by Marco Van Huytvenne. In the 34th minute, Marco Van Huytvenne got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Gzira United's Ryan Ghigo quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Sean Casa, made in the 36th minute of the game. After 37 played minutes Nigret got a freekick which was hit by Michael Portanier. Marco Van Huytvenne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 42nd minute. Thomas Mercieca tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Marco Van Huytvenne came up free with the goalie in the 44th minute, the Gzira United fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Marco Van Huytvenne couldn't finish the play. When Marco Van Huytvenne came up free with the goalie in the 45th minute, the Gzira United fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Marco Van Huytvenne couldn't finish the play. After 46 played minutes Nigret got a freekick which was hit by Amadeo Farrugia. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Harry Galdes sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thomas Mercieca stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Marco Van Huytvenne's shot from short distance in the 54th minute. 57 minutes into the game, Marco Van Huytvenne cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Thomas Mercieca was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. If Marco Van Huytvenne had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Marco Van Huytvenne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 62nd minute. Thomas Mercieca tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Marco Van Huytvenne in the 67th minute of play forced Nigret's goalkeeper Thomas Mercieca to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Gzira United booed when Nigret was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 67 match minutes in a wonderful position. Carl Pulis didn't get a good kick on the ball. 72 minutes into the match, Nigret's goal looked a bit too open when Marco Van Huytvenne came free, but Thomas Mercieca reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 76 played minutes Gzira United got a freekick which was hit by George Magro. In the 77th minute, Ryan Ghigo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Harry Galdes fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 78th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Tony Dougall having to interfere. Nigret's Thomas Mercieca played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marco Van Huytvenne in the 82nd minute of play. In the 87th minute, Claudio Miggiani got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Marco Van Huytvenne took the ball and in the 88 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Thomas Mercieca. Thomas Mercieca dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-0. Claudio Miggiani received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 96th minute. Thomas Mercieca tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When the referee ended the match the Gzira United players were able to celebrate. They had won a fair victory and recieved the ovations of their fans.