M’xlokk 5

Mosta 2

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo (J.P. Farrugia), M. Deanov (S. Borg), C. Compagnoli, M. Licari, J. Xerri, C. Brincat, T. Templeman, P. Borg, O. Obiefule (S. Eboh), F. Raimy

Coach: W. Muscat

Mosta: G. Zammit, A. Borg, L. Martinelli (K. Farrugia), K. Spiteri, R. Ailhino, S. Grech, K. Magro, J. Bajada, G. Martin, I. Zammit, F. Aboulezz (A. Cini)

Coach: O. Spiteri

Referee: M. Apap

Asst.refs: J. Camilleri, P. Apap

4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: O. Obiefule 23, 75 pen, 90, M. Deanov 43, G. Martin 47, I. Zammit 58 pen, J.P. Farrugia 81

Yellow cards: F. Raimy, T. Templeman, J. Bajada, P. Borg, S. Grech, R. Ailhino, K. Magro

Player of the match: Obinne Obiefule (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top 3: 1.O. Obiefule 2. T. Templeman 3. G. Martin

SILVIO VELLA

Marsaxlokk started the season on a good note, winning their first match against newly promoted side Mosta, after they threw away a two-goal first half lead within 10 minutes of the second half.

A moment of hesitation from Marsaxlokk at the start of the second half enabled Mosta to pull themselves temporarily into a match that looked beyond them with two goals in quick succession. But superior Marsaxlokk dusted themselves well from that setback and scored three more goals before the end to put the issue beyond doubt.

Their main executioner was Obinne Obiefule, who scored three of his side’s five goals, including a penalty.

The departures of players like Rumen Galabov, Alfred Effiong, Gareth Sciberras and Julio Alcorse might suggest Marsaxlokk are a depleted side this season.

Yesterday they showed that they have lost none of their resilience even if they will expect sterner tests ahead than that offered by newly promoted Mosta.

Jonathan Xerri was the weakest link in an otherwise composed Marsaxlokk defence comprising Clive Brincat, captain Carlo Mamo and former Birkirkara player Patrick Borg.

In midfield, one of their new foreign recruits Brazilian Carlos Compagnoli, no newcomer to local football after playing for Vittoriosa last season, who together with Trevor Templeman, provided good cover with intelligent passes that often led to Marsaxlokk’s build-ups.

Marsaxlokk’s other newcomer, former Sliema striker Obinne Obiefule, often had the better of a vulnerable Mosta defence, with the central pair of Kenneth Spiteri and Portuguese Rudy Ailhinho often caught out of position.

Marsaxlokk had already gone close short before the quarter hour when Obiefule ran down the right, made his way towards the middle but his shot was footed out by keeper Glen Zammit, playing against his former club.

With Marsaxlokk showing superiority in a rather sterile start to the encounter, they broke the deadlock on 23 minutes. Deanov played a low pass to Obenne Obiefule who advanced unhindered, and beat the keeper with alarming ease.

Mosta remained mostly a disjointed team with Ian Zammit and Gilbert Martin unable to show the required cohesion up front. Hard as they toiled, Magro, Bajada and Grech were often outplayed by their opponents in midfield.

Towards the end of the first half, Marsaxlokk threatened again. Deanov’s cross from the right was chested by Obiefule but Spiteri cleared before the Nigerian could conclude.

Some more sloppy defending by Mosta led to Marsaxlokk’s second goal two minutes from the break. As keeper Zammit rushed out of his line but missed the ball, Martin Deanov beat him with a cool lob, the ball crossing the line before defender Spiteri tried to clear.

Mosta were a transformed side after the restart. Two minutes into the second half they pulled one back. Magro’s drilling shot from a distance rebounded off the underside of the bar and Gilbert Martin caught the Marsaxlokk defence unawares to shoot in from close range.

There was hardly time for Marsaxlokk to react through an Obiefule shot that keeper Zammit turned into a corner, before Mosta levelled matters on 58 minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Borg bundled Martin inside the area and Ian Zammit tucked it away, scoring his first goal for the new club.

Suddenly Mosta were riding the waves and Marsaxlokk were back pedalling.

But when Ailhino felled Licari with a late tackle inside the area on 75 minutes, the referee awarded Marsaxlokk a penalty. Obinne Obiefule scored again to put Marsaxlokk back in the lead.

There was still time for the Southseasiders to increase that lead nine minutes from normal time. Substitute Jean Paul Farrugia, who had just gone in for Licari, knocked in Obiefule’s cross with practically his first touch of the ball.

All Mosta’s hopes were wrecked on the stroke of time. Obinne Obiefule completed his hat-trick as he raced powerfully through the middle, shrugging off Kane Farrugia’s challenge to beat the helpless keeper Zammit.

On this showing, Mosta will find the going tough at the top flight.