First Division club St Patrick created the first upset of the competition when they booted out Premier side Mosta from the competition. St. Patrick still in search of their first win in the First Division League, yesterday played their best match of the season against a Mosta side which lacked the necessary concentration for such a match.

The Saints’ hero was Brazilian Costa Brazilino who came on a s a substitute late in the game, but made his presence felt with two goals that gave the Saints’ something to cheer about. His second goal in injury time was a superb to watch, one of the best goals scored this season.

Another good player who had a brilliant match for the Saints was Gordon Failla who was outstanding in midfield, only to be sent off six minutes from time. Goalkeeper Mintoff, apart from his blunder on the goal suffered, was very good throughout saving everything that came his way.

Mosta were yesterday very disappointing, shaky at the back and poor in attack where Chibueze was sorely missed. Nwoko was not at his best and was never really effective.

Both sides started the match with several regular players missing. Mosta were without Falzon, Chibueze, Camilleri, Scriha and Spasic, with St. Patrick missing the services of Buttigieg, Zerafa, and Caruana.

The slow start was broken after six minutes when St Patrick took the lead, when a Failla’s cross ripped the Mosta defence apart and Alistair Buhagiar scored from close range.

Mosta could not come to grips with their opponents, who controlled the match with relative ease. Benoir Fenech headed wide a Tanti corner, with Mosta’ first shot coming on 28 minutes when Ryan Newell blasted high a short Bilocca free-kick.

Two minutes later Mosta were unlucky when Cilia put through by Nwoko, was denied by Mintofff with a splendid save and from the rebound the same Cilia hit the upright.

In stoppage time Mosta obtained the equaliser. Another cross from the right by Cilia was fumbled by goalkeeper Mintoff, and Matthew Bartolo was on hand to slam home from close range.

Mosta went close at the resumption with Mintoff tipping to a corner a well taken free-kick by Bilocca. After their good start, Mosta again faded away and St. Patrick had a golden opportunity on 64 minutes when Fenech headed to the unmarked Alistair Buhagiar who missed with an open goal at his mercy.

On 75 minutes Mosta had a good move but Bilocca wasted the good opportunity. Five minutes later St. Patrick took the lead when Benoir Fenech gave a good ball to Alistair Buhagiar, whose lob beat Sciberras but missed the target, and in romped Costa Brazilino who shot home with his first shot of the match. Mosta pushed everything forward as the Saints were reduced to ten players when one of their best players Gordon Failla was sent off six minutes from time for second bookable-offence.

In injury time Costa Brazilino crowned his performance with a beautiful goal following a good personal run and a perfect lob that gave Sciberras no chance to save.

St. Patrick: S. Mintoff, S. Dimech, R. Cassar, M. Fleri Soler, M. Tanti, K. Micallef (S. Costa Brazilino), G. Failla, M. Xerri, B. Fenech, C. Micallef (M. Zerafa), A. Buhagiar (S. Zerafa).

Mosta: C. Sciberras, J. Grech (P. Scriha), R. Newell, J. Caruana, C. Attard, D. Okonkwo (P. Camilleri), M. Bartolo (M. Brincat), U. Nwoko, L. Cilia, I. Bilocca.

Referee: M. Borg, asst.refs: J. Rapa, E. Spiteri, 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: A. Buhagiar, M. Bartolo, S. Costa Brazilino 2