Marsaxlokk 1

Mosta 5

Obinna Obiefule hit four goals, after Jonathan Bajada had scored the opening goal, as Mosta trounced Marsaxlokk 5-1, with five goals coming in an entertaining first half between the two bottom teams of the Relegation Pool.

This third consecutive defeat leaves Marsaxlokk in troubled waters. Yesterday they had Modesto Valeriani, Clive Brincat and Trevor Templeman back in their starting line-up but Nemanja Stoskovic was missing and Xerri as well as Eboh went in as substitutes.

Mosta were also bereft of key player Ian Zammit, who did not feature in their squad, but Gilbert Martin was returning after suspension. Alex Cini was given a rare start, ahead of Raimy.

Showing more determination and self belief, Mosta carried too much ammunition for their opponents, as Obiefule ripped the Marsaxlokk rearguard apart to take his tally to 23 league goals already. Mosta had their work cut early. Two goals inside the first quarter hour paved the way to an assuring victory that puts them back on track in the fight for survival.

Jonathan Bajada broke the deadlock after six minutes when he picked Obiefule’s square pass, advanced inside the Marsaxlokk area on the right and beat keeper Cassar with a low drive.

The volatile Martin had already hit the side netting following his forage from the left before winning a penalty on the quarter hour when he was pulled down by Buttigieg inside the Marsaxlokk area and Obinna Obiefule tucked it away to double Mosta’s lead.

Before the match was even half an hour old, Obiefule had completed his hat-trick.

He ran inside the Marsaxlokk area with alarming ease, beating keeper Cassar from near the byeline on the left. Obiefule then connected well to Falzon’s corner from the right to head in at the far post.

Marsaxlokk were handed a lifeline on 37 minutes. Farrugia fell under Tisbi’s shoulder challenge and the referee awarded the penalty in what looked like a harsh decision. Trevor Templeman sent keeper Debono the opposite way to reduce the deficit, although Mosta could have scored themselves hardly two minutes later. Cini advanced on the left, found Martin with his cut back, but keeper Cassar did well to block his effort.

Although trailing by three goals, Marsaxlokk refused to give up and two minutes into the second half, Templeman’s powerful free kick from the edge of the area rebounded off the Mosta keeper’s outstretched body.

Mosta threatened on 55 minutes as Borg’s deep cross from the right was hit by Falzon towards the middle. Keeper Cassar blocked at Obiefule’s feet and then footed away Martin’s shot on the rebound.

The Mosta defence had to block efforts by Farrugia and Pedrozo and on Templeman’s cross, Farrugia hit over the bar on 67 minutes.

But Marsaxlokk struggled after Oladutun limped off and as the match wore on, they knew that theirs was a lost cause. They even collapsed to concede Mosta’s fifth goal six minutes from the end. Falzon’s cross fell to Cini whose effort was cleared off the line but Obiefule still managed to knock the ball over to complete the formalities.

Marsaxlokk C. Cassar, M. Valeriani, S. Borg, J. Brincat, C. Brincat, G. Buttigieg (J. Xerri), G. Caruana, J.P. Farrugia, P. Oladutun (S. Eboh), T. Templeman, A. Pedrozo

Coach A. Cremona

Mosta J. Debono, A. Borg, F. Tisbi, Y. Ossok, A. Cini, J. Bajada (F. Aboulezz), K. Magro (L. Martinelli), P. Mirceta (F. Raimy), D. Falzon, G. Martin, O. Obiefule

Coach S. D’Amato

Referee M. Borg

Asst.refs W. Debattista, S. Attard

4th official F. Zammit

Scorers J. Bajada 6, O. Obiefule 14 pen, 19, 27, 84 T. Templeman 37 pen

Yellow cards G. Buttigieg, P. Mirceta, T. Templeman

Player of the match Obinna Obiefule (Mosta)

TMI top 3 1. O. Obiefule 2. M. Magro 3. T. Templeman