Simon Shead scored a hat trick as Mosta brushed aside Msida’s feeble resistance to move to second place in the standings, eight points behind leaders Balzan Youths.

This was Msida’s thirteenth defeat in as many matches, and now Msida Saint Joseph are mathematically relegated to Division Two next season, for their second consecutive demotion.

Msida were the weaker side throughout the whole competition and yesterday’s final decision was not a surprise at all. Yesterday’s match was completely dominated by Mosta who kept constant possession of the ball even though they were rather erratic and did not produce many scoring chances.

Inside the first minute Msida goalkeeper Firth effected a great save off a Simon Shead shot, and minutes later the same goalkeeper made another stunning save, this time from a Lee Grima scorcher.

Mosta had to wait till the half hour mark to have another attempt at goal but again Firth saved Simon Shead’s shot. Just before the break Jonathan Holland passed towards Alex Cini whose cross was met by Simon Shead who hammered the ball home.

On the resumption Mosta scored two quick goals at the start to put the issue beyond doubt. On 50 minutes Simon Shead was blocked by the Msida goalkeeper, with the ball going towards Lee Grima who easily slotted the ball home.

On 59 minutes William Camenzuli powered his way on the right flank and crossed towards Simon Shead who did not miss from close range. Mosta continued to dominate the match but their pressure did not produce much, and the Blues had to wait till the 89th minute to score their fourth and final goal.

Once again Lee Grima did the running and crossed towards Simon Shead who lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to obtain his hat trick and condemn Msida to Division Two.

Mosta J. Debono, M. Brincat, K. Farrugia (Q. Bregman), V. Osobu, L. Grima, A. Cini, J. Holland, N. Bogdanovic (F. Aboulezz), K. Spiteri, W. Camenzuli (R. Deguara), S. Shead

Msida S.J. S. Firth, J. Brincat, G. Refalo, M. Borda, R. Xuereb (C. Brincat), P. Sakchai (D. Vassallo), L. Micallef, L. Cassar, M. Grech, K. Saliba, M. Harper

Referee Tristan Farrugia Cann