Birkirkara 1
Mosta 2
Birkirkara: A. Hogg, D. Chapoval, M. Guillaumier, M. Andelkovic, M. Vella, C. Failla, E. Ferreira (J. Bezzina 82), N. Vukanac, C. Attard, M. De Siqueira (L. Montebello 76), J. Da Silva Pereira
Mosta: A. Vella, JR Ekani, G. Cuomo, D. Bonnici, D. Xuereb (Z. Brincat 64), R. Morisco, D. Angan, T. Farrugia, F. Franchini, A. Roach, B. Jnohope
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Asst refs: Theordore Zammit, Dusan Petrovic
4th official: Alan Mario Sant
Scorers: M. De Siqueira 4, G. Cuomo 76, D. Angan 81
Yellow cards: D. Xuereb 23
BoV Player of the Match: M. Guillaumier
TMI Top 3: M. Vella, 2. R. Morisco, 3. M. Guillaumier
Attendance: 410
Birkirkara suffered one of their biggest setbacks this season yesterday as they lost to Mosta in a match they needed to win at all costs to remain in the hunt for an Europa League berth via a 4th place in the league.
Marcelo De Siqueira gave the Stripes an early lead, but Mosta hit back with goals from Gianluca Cuomo and Davy Angan in the second half.
The defeat leaves Birkirkara in 7th place two points behind Hamrun and Sliema who have a match in hand.
On their part, despite their important win, Mosta are not yet mathematically certain of saving their status, but are now very close to assure their presence yet again among the elite next season.
They (and Tarxien) will be safe if St Andrews fail to win today against Valletta.
The Stripes had Kurt Zammit missing through suspension. Michael Mifsud was also missing from the Stripes squad, while striker Luke Montebello only made an appearance late in the second half.
Birkirkara took an early lead in the first half, but they failed to add to their tally despite creating a good number of open chances.
And they paid the price for some missed chances as they suffered a late rally from Mosta who turned defeat into a victory with two late goals.
The Stripes could have made sure of victory in the opening 45 minutes. Apart from being unlucky with a fine shot hitting the crossbar, Guillaumier also missed two glaring chances which would have put the Stripes firmly in the driving seat.
Mosta did not stare at their opponents and tried hard to move upfield with purpose, but found a big stumbling block in the Stripes defence where Chapoval and Vukanac were in command.
In the second half, it was a different story as Mosta made a strong reaction and managed to create some anxious moments to the Birkirkara defence.
In fact, it was no surprise that they first equalised and then scored a second goal five minutes later to completely stun the Stripes.
Birkirkara had a perfect start as they took the lead after only four minutes. It was Marcelo De Siqueira who forced his way into the Mosta area and beat the onrushing goalie Andreas Vella with a low shot.
Mosta replied on 10 minutes through a Cuomo freekick which went just wide.
On 16 minutes from a Vella pass, it was Guillaumier who shot just over the bar.
Two minutes later, the Stripes were unlucky not to score a second goal when Matthew Guillaumier dribbled round two players but his shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar with goalie Vella completely beaten.
Soon after, at the other end, Birkirkara goalie Hogg had to rush out of his charge to clear before Angan could connect to a pass from midfield.
In the 36th minute, Jorge Pereira received a good ball in the Mosta area, dribbled round goalie Vella and from near the byeline, he passed to the unmarked Guillaumier who, however, hit the ball badly thus missing an excellent chance for the Stripes to take a good 2-0 lead.
In the 43 minute, Birkirkara again threatened when Maurizio Vella sent in a perfect pass to Guillaumier who had a shot blocked by a Mosta defender.
At the start of the second half, Mosta threatened to equalise on 53 minutes when from an Angan cross, Dexter Xuereb had a shot blocked by a Birkirkara defender.
In the 55th minute, Mosta goalie Andreas Vella was injured in a collision with Jorginho Pereira as he rushed out of goal to block the Birkirkara striker's incursion on a Marcelo De Siqueira pass in the Mosta area. Luckily for him and Mosta, he was able to continue the match.
On the hour, Jorginho again was close to scoring but his header went just wide.
In the 65th minute, Morisco went closest to an equaliser for Mosta as his shot from a freekick went inches wide.
The Blues were rewarded for their efforts in the 76th minute when they equalised. It was Gianluca Cuomo who hit home a fine volley from the edge of the area, giving Andrew Hogg no chance.
Two minutes later, it was goalie Vella who saved the Mosta fort with an excellent save on a Chapoval header.
Mosta took the lead in the 81st minute when off a low cross from the right, it was Davy Angan who hit home from close in.
In added time it was Andrew Hogg who denied Mosta a third goal as he saved a close range effort from Duane Bonnici.