Hamrun 0
Mosta 1
Hamrun: S. Cini, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar (C. Borg 75), W. Domoraud, M. R. Gauci, M. Criaco, K. Micallef, DA Moukanza, O. Nikolopoulos, C. Calil (R. Darmanin 81)
Mosta: A. Vella, JR Ekani, G. Cuomo, A. Darlington (K. Frendo 85), D. Bonnici, D. Xuereb (J. Brincat 90), R. Morisco, T. Farrugia, AG Roach, D. Imeri (Z. Brincat 90), J. Cisotti
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst Referees: R. Vella, D. Spencer
4th Official: AM Sant
Scorer: D. Imeri pen 74
Yellow cards: K. Micallef 44, S. Nayar 70, A. Darlington 41, J. Cisotti 65
Red card: G. Cuomo 74
Player of the match: J. Cisotti
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Cisotti, 2. T. Farrugia, 3. W. Domoraud
Attendance: 1,016
A Demir Imeri penalty on 74 minutes proved to be enough for the 10-man Mosta side to beat Hamrun Spartans yesterday.
It was an important win for Mark Miller's boys as the three points have lifted them joint 8th place with Tarxien Rainbows, on 19 points, a massive nine points above the relegation zone.
As for the Spartans it was a veritable setback as their already slim hopes of a title win took a big nosedive and they can now only hope to make it to the Europa League by claiming the third place (if not through the FA Trophy).
The match was characterised by some controversial decisions by the official in charge, but otherwise it was much less entertaining than the previous one.
Hamrun had been undefeated in their last 10 matches - they won seven and drew the other three.
On the other hand, Mosta had managed a draw against Balzan after having previously beaten Tarxien Rainbows 2-0. This shows that they are also on the way to recovery after a somewhat lean period before the appointment of Mark Miller as coach.
Neither side dominated in the first half as play was more or less restricted to midfield for long stretches, although the Spartans saw much more of the ball and created the only scoring chances.
In the second half, Hamrun appeared to be more determined, but Mosta were well organised and withstood the pressure admirably. And when they took the lead through a penalty by Imeri, they defended it successfully till the end even though they had Cuomo sent off after receiving a second booking.
The match had a very quiet start and it was only in the 25th minute that we witnessed the first action on goal. From a Criaco cross, Moukanza's weak header was easily saved by goalie Vella.
Two minutes later it was William Domoraud who had a shot going just wide.
On 38 minutes, Hamrun had the best chance when Nayar picked Moukanza inside the area but the winger headed over.
On 49 minutes Orestis Nikolopoulos hit a shot on the turn that rolled just wide.
At the other end, ten minutes later, Roach's through ball sent Cisotti clear but the Italian's run was halted by Hamrun goalkeeper Sean Cini but referee Fyodor Zammit waved play on.
Mosta almost forged ahead on 69 minutes when Imeri nodded the ball to Alexander Darlington but the latter's angled drive was brilliantly pushed away by Cini.
In the 73rd minute, Mosta were awarded a penalty when Cisotti picked up a back pass from Nayar and was upended by Cini. From the spot, Imeri made no mistake, sending Cini the wrong way.
It was here that Cuomo made some gestures in front of the Ħamrun supporters and wa duly shown his second yellow card which saw him being sent off for an early shower.
Nine minutes from time, Hamrun almost snatched an equaliser when Domoraud headed the ball towards Ryan Darmanin who slid the ball past Andreas Vella but Tyrone Farrugia became Mosta's hero as he cleared off the line.