Hibernians-Mosta 2-3
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, J. Lima, A. Cohen (J.P. Farrugia), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, M. Bartolo (B. Muscat), O. Obiefule, L. Edison
Mosta: O. Borg, T. Farrugia, M. Micallef, K. Farrugia (D. Pereira), M. Brincat, R. Ekani, K. Zammit, L. Duriska (A. Cini), C. Ferenandes (Y. Messias), D. Falzon, G.M. Piccioni
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: M. Scerri, L. Portelli
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: C. Failla 3, 39, M. Micallef 49, G.M. Piccioni 61 pen, Y. Messias 68
Yellow cards: R. Ekani, L. Duriska, J. Pearson, R. Camilleri, Z. Levnaic, Y. Messias
Player of the match: D. Pereira (Mosta)
TMI top three: 1. T. Farrugia 2. D. Pereira 3. C. Failla
Attendance: 646
Mosta’s remarkable comeback with three second half goals that erased a two-goal deficit, brought an end to their three-match winless streak and the first victory under new coach Enrico Piccioni as they continue to strengthen their bid for a top-six finish.
Mosta had Bjorn Kaljevic suspended but coach Piccioni still deemed it fit to start with four foreigners. After 25 minutes play, and his side trailing by a goal, the Italian coach introduced forward Diego Pereira to give Gian Marco Piccioni more support up front. The tactical move paid dividends at the end.
They were completely outplayed in the first half and trailed Hibernians by two Clayton Failla goals. But they returned as a transformed side in the second with their fluid movement that left their opponents flat-footed.
Hibernains’ squad became shorter by the departure of two key players as their central defender Rodolfo Soares and wide player Marcelo Dias left the club to seek pastures abroad.
It is still early to suggest this was the reason for their collapse yesterday but the fact their defence surrendered a two-goal lead must have left their ccoach Nisevic and their fans really frustrated.
Zoran Levnaic partnered Jonathan Pearson in central defence, with Ryan Camilleri wide on the left. In the absence of Dias, and a three-man backline, Matthew Bartolo was given a more advanced role on the right flank.
An early goal after only three minutes play put the Paolites in the driving seat. The Mosta keeper Omar Borg had been already called to hold out Luis Edison’s shot on the turn before being rendered helpless by Clayton Failla’s low drive from outside the area.
With Hibernians looking sharper on the ball, Mosta were on the backfoot during the first quarter hour. Obiefule connected well on on Cohen’s cross from th eleft. His effort was held out by Borg with the tip of his fingers. Failla again went close with another rasping long range shot before Edison put Krfistensen clear with a back-heeled pass but the Mosta keeper could save.
Mosta were out of sorts. They only looked menacing when Piccioni got the better of Levnaic and Pearson but hit the side netting. On 22 minutes, from a Fernandes’ free kick from the left, the Hibernians’ clearance fell to Zammit who forced keeper Muscat to tip his dipping shot over the bar into a corner.
Kane Farrugia’s substitution, midway through the half, unsettled somehow the Mosta rearguard, as Mark Brincat retreated at the back.
On the half hour keeper Borg saved two efforts in quick succession, first on Obiefule and then on Edison as Hibernians remained more potent going forward.
On a Failla cross, Obiefule’s shot was blocked into a corner by the Mosta defenders.
Hibernians second goal looked inevitable and that came on 39 minutes. The Paolites were awarded a free kick outside the Mosta area and Clayton Failla beat the goalkeeper with a low strike at the near post to give his side a two-goal cushion by halftime.
Mosta pulled themsleves back into the game four minutes into the second half. Tyrone Farrugia’s header on Falzon’s free kick from the left, was parried by keeper Muscat but Manolito Micallef managed to head the loose ball over the line despite efforts by the Hibernians’ players to clear.
The goal galvanised Mosta and opened up the match. Within a minute there was a chance at opposite ends. Micallef’s long range shot was repelled by keeper Muscat and Obiefule ran down the left flank, crossed from the byeline but Lima blasted the ball over to waste a good chance for Hibernians.
On 58 minutes, Mosta effected another substityution, with Yuri Messias going in for Fernandes. Three minutes later Mosta won a penalty as Levnaic held out Pereira’s shot with his outstrteched arm inside the area. Gian Marco Piccioni levelled matters from the spot kick.
There was more misery for Hibernians as Cohen limped off on 67 minutes to be replaced by Jean Paul Farrugian and haedly a minute later, Mosta scored their third goal, that eventuially proved to be the winner.
The two substitutes were involved asDuriska played the ball wide to Pereira , and after good work on the left, he crossed for Yuri Messias to beat keeper Muscat.
Mosta were forced to defend grimly for most of the remaining minutes to hold on to their lead, as Hibernians pushed forward relentlessly. On the stroke of full time, keeper Borg denied Obiefule with the match’s best save blocking his shot from the edge of the eight-yard box.