Mosta 1

Qormi 0

A solitary goal by Obinna Obiefule was enough to give Mosta the three points against Qormi and propel the Blues past Mqabba in the standings confirming their resurgence under coach Steve Damato.

In the first match of the weekend fixtures in-form Mosta faced off Qormi who were also hoping to retain their position on the fringes of the top six. Mosta had some new signings in their line-up, with the signing of Dyson Falzon from Valletta and two new foreigners - Zakaria Kibona and Predrag Mirceta over the past weeks and therefore started as favourites to claim the three points. Gilbert Martin returned for Mosta after serving a one-match ban.

Qormi, on the other hand, lost four of the last five matches although they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy after defeating Second Division side Mellieha.

Lying in seventh place, they were eager for points in their bid to secure a top six finish. Jonathan Bondin and Joseph Farrugia returned after serving a one-match ban but Jorge Pereira da Silva was suspended.

Mosta began well and after five minutes Obifuele had a fine dipping shot which went just over the bar.

And in fact it was Mosta who took the lead on 18 minutes when from a deep cross by Bajada, Obiefule had a diving header which beat a hapless Sultana. Qormi reacted on 24 minutes when a free kick by Farrugia was well saved by Debono.

On 30 minutes, Mosta again came close with a fine dipping shot by Magro which went just wide. The rest of the half was quite boorish with no side really taking the initiative.

On 56 minutes, Wellman saw his header from a corner go just over the bar as Qormi attempted a reaction. The canaries again came close on 59 minutes when Chetcuti released Bartolo who saw his point blank shot saved by Debono.

On 65 minutes, Bartolo had another great shot from a distance which went just over. In stoppage time Tristan Caruana saw his shot brilliantly tipped over the bar by Debono.

Qormi continued piling up the pressure but somehow could not penetrate the well drilled Mosta defence which held on for a fine victory.

Mosta : J Debono, A Borg, K Farrugia, F Tisbi, Y Ossuk, F Raimy, J Bajada, K Magro, D Falzon (F Aboulezz), I Zammit, O Obiefule (Kibona)

Qormi: S Sultana, C Scicluna Garcia (Bello Osagie A ) , M Bartolo, J Chetcuti, J. Farrugia, L Sciberras, F Mirarchi (S.Wellman), J Bondin, K Thackeray, T Caruana

Referee: M. Apap

Scorers: O.Obiefule 18

Yellow cards: Sammut

Player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Mosta)

TMI top 3: 1. M Bartolo 2. O. Obiefule 3.J Farrugia