Qormi 1

Mosta 4

As expected Mosta retained their Premier League status when they easily defeated Qormi by four goals to one with their in form striker Obinna Obifuele scoring a hat trick.

In this crucial match for Mosta, the Blues needed a point to make sure of Premiership status next season although they also depended up to a point on the Mqabba Hamrun result.

Qormi won the last four matches, scoring fourteen goals and suffering three. Last week, they registered a narrow win over an Mqabba side which was seeking the three points in their bid to avoid relegation. No players were ruled out injured or suspended.

After collecting just two points from the previous three matches, Mosta returned to winning ways last week, defeating Marsaxlokk 5-0. Dyson Falzon was back for Mosta after serving a one-match ban.

Mosta are expected to get the point they need from this game to secure their Premier League status and condemn Mqabba to Division 1. As expected, Qormi fielded a weakened team as they rested a number of players in view of next week’s FA Trophy semi-finals.

As expected Mosta began strongly and created a few openings but their first real chance came on 11 minutes when a cross by Dyson Falzon found Obifuele in the box who shot wide from a good position.

Mosta took the lead on the quarter hour mark when a cross by Ian Zammit found Obifuele who shot home from close range. Mosta doubled with their next chance on 23 minutes when Kane Farrugia found Obifuele with a fine cross and the in form striker volleying home beautifully from close range.

Mosta made it three and practically assured their Premiership status on 37 minutes when from a free kick by Falzon, Farrugia fumbled with Raimy heading in from close range. Mosta appeared to be in complete control as Qormi seemed content to sit back and rarely venturing forward.

The second half continued on a relatively quiet note with Mosta in complete control. On 65 minutes, Qormi could have reduced the deficit with a cross by Farrugia almost finding Cassar but the Mosta defence cleared off the line.

But it was Mosta who made it four on 68 minutes when from a corner, Obifuele was on hand to blast home and notch up his hat trick. Qormi reduced the deficit on 72 minutes when Chetcuti slipped past the Mosta defence and drove his shot past the keeper for a consolation strike.

Qormi : M Farrugia (S Sultana), C Farrugia, M Bartolo, G Chircop, J Farrugia, J Chetcuti, R Buhagiar, K Scicluna, A Cassar, S Wellman, A Bello Osagie (C Briffa)

Coach: S. Azzopardi

Mosta : J Debono, K Farrugia (A Borg), B Agius (L Martinelli), F Tisbi, Y Ossok, F Raimy, G Martin, F Aboulezz, I Zammit, O Obifuele (P Mirceta), D Falzon

Coach: S. D’Amato

Scorers: O Obifuele 15, 23, 68 F. Raimy 37, J Chetcuti 72

Referee: T. Farrugia Cann

Player of the match: O Obifuele (Mosta)

TMI top 3: 1. O.Obifuele 2. D Falzon 3. F Raimy