Ten-man Mosta beat Dingli in extra time to advance to second round

Dingli S 3

Mosta 5

Ten-man Mosta beat Dingli Swallows 5-3 in extra time in a spectacular U*BET FA Trophy match yesterday at Hamrun. Mosta had Bregman sent off on 45 minutes, and Dingli also finished the match in 10 men when Ciappara was sent off late in extra time when the score was already 5-3 for the Blues.

It was an action packed match with eight goals, three penalties, two red cards and endless goalmouth actions.

The match had a rather tame start with Mosta always dictating matters with Lyden Micallef and Ryan Deguara doing a fine job on the flanks. But on 13 minutes Dingli forged ahead when Mark Brincat floored Chris Ciappara and from the penalty spot the same Ciappara made no mistake.

Mosta did not panic with Lyden Micallef testing Farrugia, and defender Tellus almost committing an own goal in an attempt to clear. The Blues kept piling up the pressure having near misses through Lyden Micallef and Simon Shead whose shot skimmed the crossbar.

On 32 minutes against the run of play Dingli doubled the score when Chirino squared the ball with Ciappara and the former easily slotted the ball home past Attard who was charging out of position.

This goal sparked Mosta’s comeback who increased their pressure on the Dingli rearguard and obtained the equaliser in a nine minute burst. On 34 minutes Mosta pulled one back when Camenzuli did all the spade work serving Ryan Deguara who had the easiest of chances tapping the ball home.

Two minutes later Lee Grima missed a sitter when he failed to score with only Farrugia to beat. On 37 minutes Mosta were unlucky when an Adrian Borg header was cleared off the goal line by Reuben Vella. On 41 minutes Mosta obtained the equaliser when Simon Shead was floored by Briffa and from the resultant penalty Mark Briggs made it 2-2.

But there was more to come in this intense first half when Chirino went past the Mosta defenders, but was pulled by Quincy Bregman who was sent off by referee Attard.

On the resumption Dingli again took the lead with a gift goal from Mosta goalkeeper Attard who failed to grasp a harmless cross from Chirino, and Ryan Sammut was on hand to put the ball at the back of the net.

Mosta were now leaving gaping holes in defence and Ciappara missed a sitter on 58 minutes.

Mosta however were back in business on 66 minutes when Briggs’ long ball found Deguara on the run, who dribbled past Farrugia before scoring.

Seven minutes later the Blues went close again with an Adrian Borg shot cleared off the goal line, and at the other end a Ciappara header sailed slightly over the bar. Seven minutes from time Chirino’s shot was well saved by Attard.

The match had to be settled in extra time and Mosta finally did find a way to have the better of their opponents. On 97 minutes a William Camenzuli freekick was headed by Kurt Formosa into his own net for a classic own goal.

Dingli had a great chance to obtain an immediate equaliser but Sapiano’s shot was cleared off the line by Alex Cini. On 100 minutes Mosta scored again when Camenzuli’s shot was partially saved by Farrugia and Shead was floored by Tellus as he was about to hit home the rebound. From the penalty spot Mark Briggs practically sealed it for Mosta.