The Mosta boys finished their commitments on 46 points from 22 games only attaining a place in the knockout competition, this result also crowned Paola H section winners as they have an unassailable 48 points with a game in hand against lowly placed Sta Venera.

The Stripes created all the occasions during the first period with Mosta trying very hard to operate on the break against a Stripes’ compact midfield sector where Massimo Chircop and Karl Montebello were superb in their interceptions and also found time to help their colleagues upfront.

A well-taken flagkick by Rowen Muscat was neutralized with difficulty by Mosta keeper Noel Attard, who later also saved a shot from outside the area by Kelvin Caruana after receiving a square pass from Diansand Brincat. Andrea Galea then set Rowen Muscat through and his shot was deflected to a corner, after Muscat was fouled outside the area the freekick shot by Matthew Cassar finished just out, in Mosta’s only attack in the first period David Causon crossed from the right to Lydon Micallef but his shot missed the upright. Two minutes before the break, Diansand Brincat crossed from the right to Massimo Chircop, who standing a few metres outside the area nearly deceived the Mosta keeper with his lobbed ball.

The second period was a balanced affair. After Kelvin Caruana was fouled outside the area, the freekick shot by Karl Montebello was cleared by a Mosta defender and later the Mosta keeper foiled Lydon Micallef with a timely sortie after being put through by Brincat.

Mosta then went all out to score a very important goal. Alex Cini, grandson of ex-international player Joe, was fouled outside the area and the freekick shot by James Scerri was cleared by a defender, Stefan Debattista then served Andrew Barr with a square pass but his shot from outside the area missed the upright. Lyden Micallef was fouled and from the freekick shot by Scerri the same player headed over the bar and Stripes’ keeper Chris Francica saved a shot by Barr after a square pass from Causon.

In the game’s last action which came six minutes from time Diansand Brincat nearly scored a dramatic winner when his shot from well outside the area missed the upright by a whisker with the Mosta keeper completely beaten after an Andre Galea perfect through ball.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Player of the match:Diansand Brincat (Birkirkara)

APS Bank U/16 Section A

San Gwann 6 vs Mosta 2

Following this result Mosta are nearing relegation to Section B having only 12 points from 22 games while San Gwann are now in safer waters with 24 points from 19 games, and resumed their scoring spree by netting 13 goals in their last two outings.

On 14 minutes San Gwann commenced with their hammering. Salem Anis Ben Halim put Shawn Vella through on the right flank and from the latter’s cross the ball was met by Luke Sciberras who made no mistake from inside the area and a few minutes later Andrea Vella put Ben Halim through and Mosta keeper Chris Cucciardi saved the latter’s shot to a corner.

The score became 2-0 on the half hour when Luke Sciberras crossed to Ben Halim from the right who made no mistake from inside the area, and six minutes before half-time, San Gwann scored their third goal from the penalty spot. Sergio Hili served Ben Halim with a low cross from the right and the Mosta keeper tripped him in an attempt to foil him and Shawn Vella converted from the spot.

San Gwann scored a fourth goal in their next move. Armand Chetcuti served Ben Halim with a through ball, the latter crossed from the right to Shawn Vella who netted from inside the area, but hardly a minute later Mosta pulled one back through Matthew Buttigieg who won a loose ball in San Gwann’s half and scored after entertaining the area unhindered.

Mosta were denied a penalty on the hour. Substitute Chris Cutajar served Jake Grech with a through ball in the area, he was tripped by a defender but the referee waved play on and the ball was cleared and from the same action Andrea Vella was put through in Mosta’s area and netted with a low shot. Mosta scored a second goal on 66 minutes through Sergio Hili after he was put through by Adrian Borg, but six minutes from time San Gwann scored their sixth and final goal when Armand Chetcuti put Conrad Buttigieg through and netted with a low shot.

Referee: Gjergi Bitri

Player of the match: Luke Sciberras (San Gwann)