Naxxar-Mosta 1-1
Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, V. Bellia, R. Cassar, G. Ribeiro, M. Del Negro, I. Edet, U. Emenike, D. Falzon (T. Vella), P. Gueye, D. Reano (P. Doffo), A. Scicluna
Mosta: O. Borg (K. Gerada), T. Farrugia, M. Micallef, R. Grech, D. Bueno (K. Zammit), P. Calcado (R. Ekani), N. Milovanovic, B. Kaljevic, D. Falzon, K. Magro, A. Borg
Referee: A.M. Sant
Asst.refs: W. Debattista, R. Vella
4th official: C. Lautier
Scorers: D. Bueno 57, T. Vella 90+
Yellow cards: P. Gueye, B. Kaljevic, V. Bellia
Player of the match: B. Kaljevic (Mosta)
TMI top 3: 1. B. Kaljevic 2. I. Edet 3. D. Reano
Attendance: 1,290
This much-awaited derby, with all the noise of the colourful fans of both sides on the stands, reached its climax in added time as Naxxar Lions clinched a dramatic equaliser that rewards their genuine efforts and never-say-die attitude throughout.
Mosta might have bossed their neighbours at times during the match but were left to rue the lack of a cutting edge, while Naxxar’s substitute Terence Vella, denied them a fourth win on the trot with a late equaliser at the start of added time.
The two teams went into the match in contrasting fortunes. Naxxar were one of six teams still without a win this season. Mosta were one of three teams with maximum points before kick off.
Mosta were buoyed by the return of Pedro Calcado, with Sasa Jovanovic making way. Naxxar had the not fully fit Angus Buhagiar and Pablo Doffo only named as substitutes. With Emenike, Daren Falzon and Gueye given preference in attack, there was no place for Terence Vella.
Mosta were the first to threaten and went close in the opening stages with a Kaljevic effort going over off a Calcado corner.
Naxxar’s response came after 19 minutes. Omar Borg had to rush off his area to kick the ball away before Gilmar Ribeiro, racing clear towards goal, could reach for it.
The Mosta goalkeeper injured his foot in the process and was eventually substituted.
The match failed to come to life after that although past the half hour keeper Azzopardi had to palm out Calcado’s vicious free kick from the right and in the half’s added time, Bueno shot straight on the Naxxar keeper after making contact with Kaljevic’s low cross from the left.
In between, Naxxar went close with a Ribeiro firm header, saved by reserve keeper Gerada, on a Reano free kick from near the corner flag.
The second half flowed almost in the same pattern until Mosta broke the deadlock short of the hour mark. Daniel Bueno pounced on Kaljevic’s splitting pass inside the Naxxar area, grounded the keeper ansd steered the ball low into an unattended goal.
The goal demanded an immediate response from the Lions. Coach Winston Muscat had to change and he brought in Terence Vella for Falzon on 65 minutes.
Three minutes later, a deep Ribeiro free kick from the right caused embarassment inside the Mosta area. Efforts by Reano, Vella and Del Negro were frantically blocked by the Mosta defenders as they held on to their slender lead.
Kaljevic should have wrapped it up ten minutes from time. On a Micallef cross he found the ball at his feet inside the Naxxar area but he struck the side netting.
Mosta paid the price. In added time, their defence failed to clear a long cross from the left and substitute Terence Vella was the first to react shooting the loose ball in from close range for a dramatic finale.
Four matches into the season and Naxxar Lions find themselves with only two points to their credit. But this draw against their neighboring rivals surely gives them some much needed tonic.
For Mosta, the emotions at the end were very different. This draw means they drop the first points of the season and their clean sheet has been finally blotted.