The Malta Independent 6 June 2024, Thursday
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Football – First division: Mosta power their way to the Premier

Malta Independent Monday, 16 May 2005, 00:00 Last update: about 11 years ago

Mosta powered their way to the premier league demolishing San Gwann in their last match to make sure of the second place behind champions Hamrun Spartans. It was a just reward for Mosta's comeback that came after a great second round that followed a disappointing first round.

Praise must go to the backbone of the Mosta team, namely Ives Bilocca, Dyson Falzon, Rodrick Asciak, Pio Scriha and Bryan Agius who had a brilliant season.

San Gwann took their opponents by surprise in the opening minutes with Cuschieri severely testing Farrugia, and Achukwu hitting slightly wide. However Mosta immediately came to grips with the situation taking full control of midfield and started building attacks with frequent succession.

On 20 minutes Mosta broke the deadlock when Chibueze made his way inside the area, his shot was blocked on the goal line by Chris Agius, but Ives Bilocca was on hand to hammer home. Six minutes later Mosta were on velvet when from a Falzon corner, Pio Scriha first timed beautifully into the net.

Dyson Falzon hit the crossbar with a dangerous cross shot and just before half time Mosta scored their third goal when Chibueze did all the spade work and his cross from the right was headed beautifully home by Bilocca.

The second half followed on the same wavelength with Mosta constantly on the attack, with Chibueze slamming against the crossbar after four minutes. Two minutes later Mosta scored their fourth goal from the penalty spot following a handling infringement by Chris Agius. The penalty was converted in style by Chibueze.

On 64 minutes Jonathan Grech scored his first goal of the season when he scored from a cross shot from more than 30 metres deceived Axisa for a spectacular goal. With 11 minutes to go Mosta scored their sixth goal as another Chibueze fine run finished with a perfect grounder.

Marsa win nine-goal thriller

Marsa5

Senglea A4

Marsa won the last match of the season beating Senglea, thanks to a second half rally. The match was dominated by Marsa in the second half, with Senglea having the edge and showing the better ideas in the first period.

The first half was played at a very slow pace, with Senglea having more of the ball and creating the better chances but Thomas was not very sharp in front of goal. Marsa had striker Gilbert Martin in great form, creating havoc whenever he obtained possession of the ball. However Martin was not supported by his team mates.

Senglea started on a top note with Leonid Mckay hitting the crossbar after only six minutes. On 14 minutes Senglea took the lead when a Silvio Sciberras freekick slammed against the upright and Timothy Thomas nipped in to head home from close range.

However, three minutes later Marsa obtained the equaliser when Lee Grima made his way on the left and his perfect pass was met by Gilbert Martin who shot beautifully into the net.

Senglea showed the better ideas in the last part of the first half with Thomas missing two good opportunities in front of goal, and Leonid Mckay lobbing high over the onrushing Spiteri.

At the start of the second half Marsa went into the lead when a Brandon Zammit freekick hit the crossbar and Warren Chircop was on hand to head home. Marsa looked a transformed side and a well executed move was finished by Lee Grima with the Senglea goalkeeper saving with great difficulty. Minutes later Attard again saved a good shot from Lee Grima.

But Grima was not to be denied in the 64th minute finishing off in style a good Ryan Bonnici cross. On 68 minutes Sciberras put Senglea back in the match when he converted magnificently a freekick from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later Senglea obtained the equaliser when Babolayefa headed home a Sciberras corner.

Nine minutes from the end Gilbert Martin scored one of the best goals of the season when he scored direct from a freekick. Lee Grima made it 5-3 on 84 minutes following a Gilbert Martin move, and Senglea scored the last goal of the season through Timothy Thomas.

Mosta powered their way to the premier league demolishing San Gwann in their last match to make sure of the second place behind champions Hamrun Spartans. It was a just reward for Mosta's comeback that came after a great second round that followed a disappointing first round.

Praise must go to the backbone of the Mosta team, namely Ives Bilocca, Dyson Falzon, Rodrick Asciak, Pio Scriha and Bryan Agius who had a brilliant season.

San Gwann took their opponents by surprise in the opening minutes with Cuschieri severely testing Farrugia, and Achukwu hitting slightly wide. However Mosta immediately came to grips with the situation taking full control of midfield and started building attacks with frequent succession.

On 20 minutes Mosta broke the deadlock when Chibueze made his way inside the area, his shot was blocked on the goal line by Chris Agius, but Ives Bilocca was on hand to hammer home. Six minutes later Mosta were on velvet when from a Falzon corner, Pio Scriha first timed beautifully into the net.

Dyson Falzon hit the crossbar with a dangerous cross shot and just before half time Mosta scored their third goal when Chibueze did all the spade work and his cross from the right was headed beautifully home by Bilocca.

The second half followed on the same wavelength with Mosta constantly on the attack, with Chibueze slamming against the crossbar after four minutes. Two minutes later Mosta scored their fourth goal from the penalty spot following a handling infringement by Chris Agius. The penalty was converted in style by Chibueze.

On 64 minutes Jonathan Grech scored his first goal of the season when he scored from a cross shot from more than 30 metres deceived Axisa for a spectacular goal. With 11 minutes to go Mosta scored their sixth goal as another Chibueze fine run finished with a perfect grounder.

Marsa win nine-goal thriller

Marsa5

Senglea A4

Marsa won the last match of the season beating Senglea, thanks to a second half rally. The match was dominated by Marsa in the second half, with Senglea having the edge and showing the better ideas in the first period.

The first half was played at a very slow pace, with Senglea having more of the ball and creating the better chances but Thomas was not very sharp in front of goal. Marsa had striker Gilbert Martin in great form, creating havoc whenever he obtained possession of the ball. However Martin was not supported by his team mates.

Senglea started on a top note with Leonid Mckay hitting the crossbar after only six minutes. On 14 minutes Senglea took the lead when a Silvio Sciberras freekick slammed against the upright and Timothy Thomas nipped in to head home from close range.

However, three minutes later Marsa obtained the equaliser when Lee Grima made his way on the left and his perfect pass was met by Gilbert Martin who shot beautifully into the net.

Senglea showed the better ideas in the last part of the first half with Thomas missing two good opportunities in front of goal, and Leonid Mckay lobbing high over the onrushing Spiteri.

At the start of the second half Marsa went into the lead when a Brandon Zammit freekick hit the crossbar and Warren Chircop was on hand to head home. Marsa looked a transformed side and a well executed move was finished by Lee Grima with the Senglea goalkeeper saving with great difficulty. Minutes later Attard again saved a good shot from Lee Grima.

But Grima was not to be denied in the 64th minute finishing off in style a good Ryan Bonnici cross. On 68 minutes Sciberras put Senglea back in the match when he converted magnificently a freekick from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later Senglea obtained the equaliser when Babolayefa headed home a Sciberras corner.

Nine minutes from the end Gilbert Martin scored one of the best goals of the season when he scored direct from a freekick. Lee Grima made it 5-3 on 84 minutes following a Gilbert Martin move, and Senglea scored the last goal of the season through Timothy Thomas.

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