Birkirkara                    0

Mosta                          3

 

Birkirkara:   A. Hogg, E. Pepe, M . Guillaumier, P. Mbong, K. Zammit, Y. Yankam, F. Falcone, C. Attard, C. Bonanni, C. Prado, O. Carniello      

Mosta :  Y. Moto, D. Debono (L.Portelli 63’), C. Ememe, D. Bonnici, C. Failla, G. Sciberras (L.Cardoso 63’), T. Farrugia, M. Muchardi, R. Morisco, B. Kaljevic, K. Tulimieri (M.Attard 80’)

Referee:    Ishmael Barbara

Asst refs:    Duncan Sultana, Paul Apap

4th official:     Stefan Pace

Yellow Cards:   Debono, Zammit  

Scorers:    Ememe 64’, 72’, Kaljevic 85’

In the first match played on Saturday afternoon at the Centenary Stadium Mosta registered their first win of the campaign when they defeated Birkirkara by three second half goals.

Both teams were chasing their first win after the Stripes lost by a 4-2 score against Valletta whereas Mosta were held in a 2-2 draw by Gudja United.

Birkirkara went into this match as favourites to grab the maximum points but they knew that they were going to face a stubborn side who were active during the transfer market and managed to lure into their fold some classy players.

And this will surely be a huge setback for Birkirkara who were hoping to kickstart their campaign in a more positive way. The game came to life in the second half with Mosta scoring all the goals this after a drab first forty five minutes.

The Stripes left much to be desired and they have to make their homework more intensely if they wish to avoid what they went through in the past season especially in the first games.

The first real action came midway through the first half when in the 21^st minute Caio Prado made his way on the flank and crossed towards Matthew Guillaumier but the latters shot sailed over the bar.

A minute later it was Prado once again who following a good solo run fired a shot which ended inches wide.

After a lengthy period with play restricted to the midfield sector, four minutes from the end of the first half Matthew Guillaumier hit the crossbar from a direct free kick with the Mosta goalkeeper beaten all ends up. Luck was not on their side.

The second half started with Birkirkara once again in command and on 50 minutes Bonanni tried his luck but a shot from just outside the area missed the target.

The Stripes kept piling on the pressure and just past the hour Moto hesitated with Guillaumier trying to lob over but missed completely. Mosta took the lead in the 64^th minute. A long pass found Christ Evo Ememe whose low drive beat Hogg.

Birkirkara looked a dejected lot and it was no surprise when in the 72^nd minute Mosta doubled their lead. It was once again Christ Evo Ememe who made the best out of Hogg’s blunder and placed the ball in the net.

Mosta put the issue beyond doubt five minutes from the end when Bojan Kaljevic ended a good run on the left flank with a well executed goal.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina

In other matches: Gzira-tarxien 1-1, Valletta-Balzan 1-0, Gudja-Lija 2-0