The Malta Independent 25 April 2024, Thursday
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BOV Premier League: Morisco solitary goal hands Mosta three important points

Simon Farrugia Saturday, 1 February 2020, 18:56 Last update: about 5 years ago
Photo: Catriel Farrugia
Photo: Catriel Farrugia

Mosta                      1
Senglea A.               0

Mosta:  N. Vella, S. Martinez, T. Agius, T. Yokochi, R. Morisco, E. Sohna, C. Chaney (K. Gatt 90'), T. Farrugia, D. Brown, M. Muchardi, Z. Brincat

Senglea A. : M. Farrugia, C. Zammit, S. Olberkis, D. Debono, S.Arab(T. Marukawa 68'), N. Virano Gonzalo, J. Teixeira, J. Tanti (J. Debono 53'), S. Cipriott (R.Teodoro 53'), J. Cabral, C. Do Nascimento

Referee: Glen Tonna

Asst refs: Luke Portelli, Paul Apap

4th official: Mario Apap

Yellow Cards: Tanti, Muchardi, Olberkis

Scorers:  Morisco 46'

BOV Player of the Match:  Rafael Morisco (Mosta)

TMI Top 3 :  1.  R. Morisco            2.    Z. Brincat                3.    J. Teixeira

Mosta gained three valuable points when in a direct encounter they defeated Senglea Athletic by a solitary goal scoring in the beginning of the second period.  Senglea started the match brightly but faded out as time passed with Mosta taking control and dominating for long stretches.

Mosta lost 0-2 to Sirens in their last league match after claiming six points in wins over Gudja and Tarxien. But last week yhey were eliminated from the FA Trophy  losing 2-1 against Birkirkara.

Senglea were coming from three successive draws with Tarxien, Sirens and Birkirkara but have failed to win since October, namely their last nine matches. In the FA Trophy fourth round clash with Floriana they lost by two goals to nil after extra time.

Mosta's Gabriel Aquilina and Senglea's Elvis Sakyi were both missing through suspension.

In the first round match between the two sides Senglea defeated Mosta 2-1 so it was revenge time for Mosta.

Senglea started the match on the offensive and in the first minute Juninho Cabral missed an easy chance to put the Cottonera outfit in the lead when he sot wide from an ideal position.

On 8 minutes it was once again Senglea this time through Teixeira but Vella was on the alert and saved his shot.

Senglea kept piling on the pressure and in the 13th minute Teixeira headed wide. Few moments later Mosta came in the picture for the first time when a Takanori free kick found Ebrima but his conclusion ended inches wide off the mark.

On the half hour Muchardi supplied a perfect cross which was met by Zachary Brincat but his headed effort went wide.

Four minutes later Mosta created another chance when Martinez passed towards Zachary Brincat only for the latter to be rather unlucky when his shot hit the woodwork.

Mosta took the lead a minute into the second half, a goal which proved to be the winner.  A Martinez corner was headed by Rafael Morisco into the corner of the net.

For long stretches play was rather dull and restricted to the midfield sector. In fact it was only ten minutes from the end of the match that a goal scoring opportunity was created. And it came from Mosta through a Yokochi Takanori free kick which sailed over the bar.

Moments later Mosta could have sealed the issue had it not been for Senglea goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia who saved a shot by Zachary Brincat.

On the other end Vella saved the day for Mosta when he stopped a fierce Theodoro Ricardo shot.

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