Mosta booked a place in the quarter finals of the FA Trophy thanks to two second half goals against Santa Lucia. Mosta deserved the win but the Saints were at times careless in their conclusions.
Both teams made it to the round of sixteen after winning their respective matches with an identical score of 3-1. Mosta defeating Balzan whereas Santa Lucia eliminated Floriana, the latter being one of the Major upsets of the previous round.
In their league encounters Mosta won both matches. The first round game against Santa Lucia by a solitary goal with the second round match with the second round playing only the past weekend Mosta once again prevailing by the odd goal in five.
On six minutes Mosta went near through a Zachary Brincat shot which went wide off Montfort’s goal. Play was restricted for long stretches in the midfield sector and it was only four minutes from the end of the first halft that Santa Lucia replied through a good shot by Kevin Ante Rosero with French goalkeeper Mafoumbi palming the ball into a corner.
On the change of ends Santa Lucia had a golden chance to forge ahead when off an Augusto Caseres cross from the left side Kevin Ante Rosero blasted high over the bar when only faced with Mafoumbi. Something rare from the League’s top scorer.
From this missed chance to Mosta taking the lead on 54 minutes. A wonder strike from Christ Ememe from inside the box which beat goalkeeper Montfort all ends up.
The Saints reacted nine minutes later through a Victor Luiz Filho free kick which found Andre Rodrigues Prates but his header was turned into a corner by Mafoumbi.
And in the 77th minute another chance for Santa Lucia to level matters but Rei Tachikawa from beneath goal wasted what looked like a certain goal.
Mosta sealed the match and qualification in added time when Matias Muchardi sent a low drive past Montfort.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina