Mosta 3

Floriana 1

SILVIO VELLA

Two early goals within the first quarter hour, paved the way for another Mosta league win that lifts them closer to the leading pack. But yesterday they had to fight harder than the final scoreline suggests as gritty Floriana tried to hit back and fought gamely, creating enough chances to at least draw level before halftime.

The Greens however were themsleves culpable of some profligacy and paid the price with a third Mosta goal from a penalty in the second half, and failed to recover, although they scored a late consolation goal.

Both sides ended with ten men as Floriana’s Kane Farrugia was sent off in the penalty incident and Aboulezz was red carded for dissent only four minutes later in the second period.

Floriana were wthout their suspended English defender Aaron Brown and Clyde Borg, replaced by other foreigner Alhino and Duncan Pisani. Wasiu and Darmanin were again their attacking duo but at times showed profligacy in front of the Mosta goal that hampered them from pulling their side back into the game after an early double set back.

Mosta kept faith in the same side that had seen them win their pervious three matches. Yesterday, two early goals within four minutes, enabled them to make them four wins in a row.

After nine minutes, Micallef’s through pass beat the Floriana offside trap for Obinne Obiefule to advance through the middle and beat the helpless keeper Debono. Four minutes later, defender Ferdinando Apap turned attacker as he rose to head in Mitev’s croner from the right and give Mosta an early two-goal cushion. It took some time for Floriana to pull their socks up and ran the risk of conceding a third soon after but Zongo shot Mitev’s pass over.

But when the dust had settled, Floriana created enough chances to draw level before the half over. Wasiu and Tremarco failed to make the best of a Pisani cross from the right on 35 minutes. Three minutes later, Verma’s goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Dimech into a corner. Juswtin Haber was the busier keeper as he fisted out another Verma corner.

With half time looming, Mitev ran down the right flank, sending in a good cross for Aboulezz, whose effort was saved with some difficulty by Floriana keeper Debono.

The second half was equally eventful. With Floriana threatening again, Tremarco shot Pisani’s cross from the right narrowly wide. Mosta lost the injured Ryan Grech on the hour, to be replaced by Bajada.

Four minutes later, Wasiu missed the most glaring opportunity. Cilia played the ball to him through two Mosta defenders and the Floriana forward, who was completely unmolested, contrived to lob the ball over the keeper and the post.

Floriana paid dearly on 68 minutes. Zonga ran inside their area on the right and fell under the onrushing keeper’s challenge to win a penalty. While the keeper was cautioned, Floriana’s Kane Farrugia was booked twice before Obinne Obiefule scored from the penalty spot, leaving Floriana down to ten men and three goals in arrears.

But numerical equilibrium was restored on 72 minutes. Mosta’s forward, Fires Aboulezz also received marching orders, apparantly for dissent after he was fouled in half pitch.

Mosta had to weather some late Floriana pressure. On 74 minutes, theri defender Agius blocked Verma’s firm header off the line on a Cilia corner.

With six minutes remaining, Floriana scored a consolation goal. Sunday Wasiu advanced from teh left and beat keeper Haber from a tight angle. But that served only for statistical purposes.

Mosta: J. Haber, M. Micallef, B. Agius (S. Bezzina), L. Dimech, F. Apap, C. Campagnoli, R. Grech (J. Bajada), O. Zongo, F. Aboulezz, D. Mitev, O. Obiefule (D. Maia Dos Santos)

Floriana: J. Debono, T. Farrugia, D. Pisani, O. Bugeja, K. Farrugia, C. Tremarco, V. Alhino, A. Verma, T. Cilia, S. Wasiu, R. Darmanin

Referee: M. Borg

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, W. Debattista

4th official: M. Apap

Scorers: O. Obiefule 9, 68 pen, F. Apap 13, S. Wasiu 83

Yellow cards: C. Tremarco, J. Debono, K. Farrugia, O. Bugeja

Red cards: K. Farrugia, F. Aboulezz

Player of the match: D. Mitev (Mosta)

TMI top 3: 1. D. Mitev 2. B. Agius 3. A. Verma

Attendance: 780