Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, C. Magro, C. Bart-Williams, G. Sciberras, J. Pace (M. Licari), A. Schembri (K. Mamo), C. Frendo, K. Sammut, S. Wellman, S. Bajada
Mosta: M. Farrugia, P. Sciriha (J. Grech), R. Newall, D. Okonkwo, C. Attard, R. Deguara, P. Vassallo, P. Camilleri, I. Bilocca (M. Borg), U. Nwoko (L. Cilia), I. Chibueze
Referee: L. Sammut. Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri 4th official: A. Zammit
Scorers: S. Bajada, A. Schembri, P. Sciriha (pen), R. Newell (o.g.), C. Frendo, M. Licari
Yellow cards: D. Okonkwo, I. Bilocca, G. Sciberras, J. Pace, U. Nwoko, S. Wellman, R. Newell
Player of the match: S. Bajada (Marsaxlokk)
TMI top three: 1. C. Frendo 2. S. Schembri 3. S. Bajada
Marsaxlokk turn the tide in the second half
The final scoreline might suggest a romp, but it is a false impression. Mosta were never outclassed and Marsaxlokk only turned their superiority into goals in the second period after the Premier League newcomers again collapsed to concede goals in crucial moments. Two of Marsaxlokk’s goals came in the dying minutes.
Mosta, handicapped by the forced absences of Spasic and Falzon, although having Bilocca back in the side, have conceded an alarming 11 goals in the last two matches.
For nearly the whole of the first half, Mosta managed to keep their superior opponents at bay and keeper Farrugia was hardly ever tested severely.
For all their ample possession, Marsaxlokk struggled to find a way past the compact Mosta rearguard, with Okonwo in central defence for the suspended Spasic, for the first 45 minutes.
The Southseasiders threatened most at dead ball moves. Mosta were spared early derision after five minutes when Frendo’s direct free-kick from the right rebounded off the post.
On 20 minutes Bart-Williams headed a Frendo free-kick wide and on another Frendo free-kick minutes later, Sammut shot horrendously off target.
Mosta, who had been pinned inside their own half for long stretches, moved upfield past the half hour. A Sciriha free-kick was headed down by Chibueze towards Nwoko who lofted the ball.
A Bajada effort, after good work by Mamo, was deflected into a corner and on the stroke of half-time, Chibueze chased a long pass by Bilocca and nearly chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper Gauci but Bart-Williams cleared the danger.
And with added time of the first half almost spent, Mosta’s defence leaked water.
A Pace long throw-in to Schembri caused near panic in front of goal. His effort was partially blocked, only for Shaun Bajada to shoot low the loose ball.
The timing of the goal was a hard blow for Mosta as Marsaxlokk looked more shaped up after the restart.
Bajada’s effort on Schembri’s pass hit the post before Newell cleared the danger and then Frendo’s low ball across the face of the Mosta goal was intercepted by Newell before Schembri could connect.
On 65 minutes, Marsxlokk doubled their lead. Frendo beat a couple of opponents on the left before crossing the ball low for the unmarked Andre Schembri to tap in from close range.
With the points virtually secured, Marsaxlokk put in Licari for Pace.
However Mosta reduced the deficit on 72 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Wellman felled Chibueze inside the area and Pio Sciriha converted, sending keeper Gauci the wrong side.
Five minutes later Marsaxlokk restored their two-goal cushion when Ryan Newell deflected Bajada’s cross from the right to beat his own keeper.
Mosta collapsed to concede two more gaols within the last two minutes. Their defence was caught on the hop on Licari’s through ball for Cleaven Frendo to beat keeper Farrugia with a low drive. And then Malcolm Licari himself steered substitute Kevin Mamo’s low cross past the helpless Farrugia to make it look a more emphatic win.