Mosta-Msida SJ 2-1

Displaying technical discipline and some exciting football, Mosta marked their return to the Premier League with a well deserved win against Msida St Joseph.

Mosta could have even emerged as more comfortable winners than the final scoreline suggests had they taken all their chances and were it not for the woodwork which twice denied them further goals.

Of all three players added to the Mosta squad on loan this season, Nwoko and goalkeeper Farrugia surely left their mark as the former scored the second goal and the latter denied Msida time and again with some excellent goalkeeping. But Chibueze was a determining factor in Mosta’s forward line as Msida’s defence was repeatedly ripped apart by his exciting attack.

Msida, although most probably taken by surprise by their opponents’ enthusiasm and motivation, also had their share of chances but were able to penetrate the Mosta rearguard only once. The striking partnership of Nwoke and Babatunde may prove more telling in future matches as they combined well in attack yeterday, only to be thwarted by the Mosta custodian.

Although showing considerable improvement in the second period, Msida failed to recover from Mosta’s shocking two-goal first half lead.

Mosta could not have had a better start when after only ten minutes play they forged ahead. Captain Sciriha sent a floating free-kick inside the Msida area and Ikechukwu Chibueze nipped in to head past a helpless Borg in goal.

That lead bolstered Mosta who picked up courage, but also spurred Msida to react.

Midway through the half, Fenech at last played a good ball forward but Nwoke’s low shot was well saved by keeper Farrugia.

But Mosta created another clear opening shortly after Chibueze cleared Bilocca but the Mosta forward contrived to miss in front of goal, shooting incredibly wide.

The referee turned a blind eye as Bajada’s outstretched hand kept out Falzon’s free-kick and then again did not interrupt play when Nwoke’s low cross was blocked by the grounded Newell’s arm.

On 38 minutes, Nwoke dribbled his way past two Mosta defenders but was foiled by Farrugia’s plucky save into a corner. And after Mosta were forced to substitute the injured Agius, Msida spurned another opportunity when Babatunde headed Carabott’s free-kick narrowly wide. In added time, Mosta again proved deadly when surging forward. Chibueze cleared Udo Nwoko with an intelligent back-heeled pass to beat Borg from close range despite Mifsud’s futile effort to block the ball on the line.

Mosta remained dangerous on fast breaks and on 65 minutes could have wrapped the match up but were unlucky when Chibueze, put clear by Nwoko, thumped his low shot against the foot of the post.

Hardly four minutes later, the Saints pulled one back. Babatunde sent a low cross from the byeline for Daniel Nwoke to finish off.

On 78 minutes a player from each side was sent off in quick succession. Mosta’s Bilocca received his marching orders for fouling Babatunde on the edge of the area and in the ensuing arguments between players, Bajada was also ordered off by the referee apparently for hitting an opponent.

Msida’s final efforts yielded no rewards as Nwoke’s goal was rightly disallowed for offside and in the dying minutes of added time, the Msida forward was denied by another top-rate save from plucky Farrugia to preserve a first win for Mosta.

Mosta: M. Farrugia, P. Sciriha, R. Newell, M. Spasic, B. Agius (M. Borg), D. Okonkwo, D. Falzon, P. Camilleri (J. Grech), U. Nwoko, I. Chubueze (B. Galea), I. Bilocca

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Carabott, D. Theuma, T. Farrugia (M. Valenzia), J. Mifsud, P. Fenech (S. Tagliaferro), D. Cachia, R. Bajada, C. Sciberras (D. Gatt), D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde

Referee: A.M. Sant Asst refs: J. Rapa, E. Spiteri. 4th official: K. Azzopardi.

Scorers: I. Chibueze, U. Nwoko, D. Nwoke

Yellow cards: D. Theuma, D. Carabott

Red cards: I. Bilocca, R. Bajada

Player of the match - U. Nwoko (Mosta)

TMI best three - 1. I. Chibueze, 2. M. Farrugia, 3. M. Spasic