Mosta 1

Balzan Youths 0

Mavii Bertrand Mvondo was the talk of the town at Mosta yesterday evening. His 48th minute strike gave his side three very important points as they now look forward with optimism.

It was Mosta’s second win of the season and the first since Steve D’Amato took over as coach. In the last three matches, he led the side to five points from a possible nine. Obviously, things look brighter now, even if they still occupy bottom place in the standings.

For Balzan, it was a setback to their hopes of moving into sixth place. Had they won this match, they would have temporarily overtaken Sliema in the standings.

But yesterday they failed to live up to expectations, especially after recent performances, and faced stiff resistance from Mosta who showed determination from start to finish.

Mosta had Sheldon Grech missing through suspension. For Balzan, Bernardes and Fenech started the match on the bench.

The match had a quiet start as both sides sized each other up. After the opening 15 minutes, however, Balzan seemed to be getting the upper hand, but they were mostly active on set pieces, especially some good Calcado freekicks.

For Mosta, goalie Debono was the great protagonist with at least two good saves that denied the two Ciantars in the Balzan side apart from keeping his goal intact.

Mosta were never really dangerous up front and their main efforts came from long distance efforts as the Youths were well in command at the back.

The first action arrived on the 13th minute when Mvondo set Bajada, but the latter’s effort from the distance went well over the bar.

At the other end, Mosta goalie Debono saved a Calcado freekick, while Mosta replied with another long distance effort from Magro, but his shot went wide.

On the 20th minute, another Calcado freekick just missed the target.

Four minutes later, Debono was a protagonist as he denied Miguel Ciantar with a good save. Soon after Debono was again in action, this time turning to corner in style a fine effort from Clifton Ciantar.

Balzan insisted and from another Calcado freekick, Yessous Camilleri saw his header landing in the safe hands of Debono.

Mosta started the second half like a house on fire. In fact they even took the lead on the 48th minute with a fine goal. Bajada set Mvondo on the edge of the area and the latter hit home a fine volley that had Camilleri beaten all ends up.

Mvondo was again in action in the 53rd minute. He beat two defenders on the left flank only to see Camilleri turning his angled effort to corner.

Five minutes later, it was Ian Zammit who tested Camilleri seriously, but the Balzan goalie dived sideways to turn to corner.

Balzan went close to equalising on the 69th minute when off a Calcado corner, the ball ran out to Rene Forace, but his grounder was palmed out by the diving Debono.

With two minutes to go, Mvondo ran into space and into the Balzan area, but his shot was saved by Camilleri.

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, B. Agius, F. Tisbi, Y. Ossok, N. Bogdanovic, K. Magro, F. Aboulezz, I. Zammit, M. Mvondo, J. Bajada.

Coach: S. D’Amato.

Balzan: M. Camilleri, R. Farrugia, B. Guga (F. Bernardes), C. Ciantar, Y. Camilleri (J. Francica), N. Tasic, R. Forace, D. Grima, M. Ciantar, P. dos Santos Calcado, K. Bright.

Coach: I. Zammit

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst refs: E. Spiteri, W. Debattista

4th official: M. Apap

Scorers: M. Mvondo 48,

Yellow cards: J. Francica, K. Magro, Y. Ossok, F. Aboulezz, B. Agius

Player of the match: M.Mvondo (Mosta)

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Mvondo, 2. J. Debono, 3. M. Camilleri.