Naxxar L.-Mosta 2-4

Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, M. Briffa, L. Cutajar, G. Ribeiro, A. Decesare (V. Bellia), M. Del Negro (D. Bonnici), P. Doffo, D. Falzon, T. Lopez, Evaldo, O. Zongo

Mosta: O. Borg, T. Farrugia, K. Farrugia, I. Grech, M. Micallef (A. Cini), R. Grech, L. Duriska, R. Faria, Y. Messias (M. Brincat), C. Fernandes (R. Ekani), B. Kaljevic

Referee: M. Borg

Asst refs: E. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: M. Micallef 28, B. Kaljevic 30, T. Lopez 50, D. Falzon 55, R. Grech 68, R. Faria 90

Yellow cards: Y. Messias, B. Kaljevic, T. Lopez, R. Grech, M. Briffa

Player of the match: B. Kaljevic (Mosta)

TMI top 3: 1. T. Farrugia  2. M. Briffa  3. B. Kaljevic

Mosta won this pulsating derby against neighbours Naxxar Lions, following the Lions’ brief rally  shortly after the interval saw them erase a two-goal deficit and draw level.

Mosta looked heading towards a comfortable win with a two-goal lead at halftime, but struggled to contain Naxxar’s pace early in the second half, and were shocked by their opponents’ comeback, which however fell short  as Mosta scored two more goals to keep up their vein of good form, winning four of their last five matches. Of course, Mosta have loftier ambitions than their neighbours.

Mosta made three changes from the side that beat Balzan the previous week. Returning from suspension, Kane Farrugia replaced Alex Cini in defence, while Ishmael Grech started as centre back instead of Mark Brincat and Christian Fernandes replaced Ekani. That meant Manolito Micallef started in a retreated role on the left flank. The Mosta captain’s match hwas one of mixed fortunes. In the first half he managed to keep  Zongo well under check besides scoring his side’s opener. In the second, he looked completely out of sorts against the darting runs of Zongo, was switched to the right flank and  then moved forward in midfield for the last quarter hour after Mark Brincat substituted Messias.

A notable absentee for Naxxar Lions was their playmaker Andre Rocha Da Silva. They again had to rely on the inventive and individula qualities of Gilmar Ribeiro in midfield and the fire power of Daren Falzon in attack.

Both were starved of service however as the teams crowded the midfield and stifled each other for almost the first half hour.

Then Mosta, who had been showing better technical qualities, struck twice in succession in as many minutes to take a double lead by halftime.

The first goal after 28 minutes came from a set piece. An inswinging Fernandes corner from the right was turned with difficulty into another corner at the far post by Naxxar keeper Azzopardi. From the resultant kick from the left by Faria, Tyrone Farrugia’s first effort was blocked by the grounded Naxxar keeper, who was rendered helpless on Mano Micallef’s shot from the rebound.

Hardly two minutes later, Naxxar suffered a double setback. Bojan Kaljevic, who had been tormenting the Naxxar rearguard with his dribbles wide on the right, took a long  ball in his stride, advanced and beat keeper Azzopardi with a defiant strike from the edge of the area.

Naxxar’s rection came too late in the half. On 39 minutes, Briffa’s low inviting cross from the right was intercpeted by Tyrone Farrugia before Falzon was about to connect. But that was a sign of things to come.

Naxxar put in Victor Bellia for Decesare in the second half and looked a transformed side as they scored twice within five minutes to restore equilibrium. On 50 minutes, the Naxxar defence failed to clear their lines on a Doffo sailing free kickn and Thiago Lopez connected well to beat keeper Borg with a powerful header.

Five minutes later Zongo put Daren Falzon through inside the Mosta area and the Naxxar forward struck low past keeper Borg, the ball hitting the innerside of the upright at the far post before crossing the line.

Mosta looked devastated but summoned enough effort to regroup. They needed an individual effort from Ryan Grech though to regain the lead and avoid further derision. He drilled a shot from some 25 metres out on the right that had keeper Azzopardi beaten hands down.

Naxxar were unable to hit back, with efforts from Lopez and Briffa lacking precision. They even collapsed to concede a fourth goal on the stroke of full time. Kaljevic provided the cross from the left for ‘Ricardinho’ to run in and score with a low drive.