Holders St Patrick notched their first victory of the competition they won last year, when they easily beat Mosta, who are still in search of their first points in the KO.
The Saints fully deserved their victory as they were the better team especially in the first period were they dictated matters. Mosta failed to impress in their second outing and tough times seem to be heading their way. Their late rally was not enough to save Mosta from another defeat.
On their part St Patrick played a diligent match in the first hour, and built a deserved two-goal cushion that proved to be decisive in the end. Failla and Caruana scored the early goals and were two of the best for their side.
Mosta had a promising start and defender Adrian Borg missed a good opportunity when he headed wide from an ideal position after only two minutes. Slowly but surely the Saints took full control of the midfield sector with the returning Simon Zerafa proving to be an asset to the team.
Gordon Failla was perfect in his in his distribution, and on 15 minutes his scorcher from 30 metres was brilliantly saved by Mosta goalkeeper Jonathan Debono. Three minutes later Bugeja made his way on the right flank and severely tested Debono who again blocked the danger.
On 20 minutes St Patrick took the lead when from a corner from the right, Terence Farrugia nodded towards Thomas Caruana whose shot from the edge of the area finished in the top corner of the net for a real beauty.
Mosta failed to make a reaction and St Patrick continued to dictate matters. On 31 minutes Thomas Caruana was again dangerous with his shot missing the target, and five minutes later Mosta had their only decent shot at goal when Briggs tested Sean Mintoff.
Seven minutes from the end of the first half Failla’ s freekick went wide.
At the start of the second half St Patrick doubled the score when Thomas Caruana tested Debono who failed to grasp the ball and from the rebound Gordon Failla slammed the ball home.
The match dragged on with the Saints controlling their opponents attempts, but thirteen minutes from the end Mosta came back in the match when Adrian Borg headed in from close range a freekick from the left taken by Bryan Agius.
In injury time substitute Alex Ellul sealed the issue for the Saints when he scored the third goal from close range following a corner action. Luck was not on Mosta’s side either as Lyden hit the base of the upright on 94 minutes.