Late goals hand Mosta the three points

mosta-vittoriosa130825JBMosta left it till late to beat Vittoriosa Stars 2-0 to collect their first three points.

The Blues were the better side during the first half but were unlucky to hit the posts twice. Vittoriosa improved after the break but Mosta managed to score twice in the final thirteen minutes to claim victory.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg

Lacking the suspended Joel Sunnyboy Toe, Mosta had three new foreigners in the starting line-up – midfielders Ricardo da Silva Faria and Jonas Rodriguez Ekani. Vittoriosa, on the other hand, had just one change from the team which drew with Balzan last week, as Jean Matthias Vella replaced Sean Cini in goal. Sheldon Grech and Roberto Brincat were ruled out injured.

Mosta went close on the 4th minute when off a cross by Ryan Grech, Diego Pereira hit the crossbar. Off the rebound, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani missed the target. On the 7th, off a Marcio Teruel corner, a header by Ramon dos Santos was deflected into a corner. Diego Pereira, served by Ricardinho was unlucky to then unlucky to hit the foot of the upright on the 11th and four minutes later, a header Lukas Duriska off a cross by Ricardinho.

Mosta continued to hold the initiative but Bojan Kaljevic missed two good opportunities after receiving crosses from the right. However two minutes from the end of the first half, Vittoriosa appealed for a penalty after a Mosta defender seemed to handle the ball inside the area.

Five minutes in the second half, Ricardinho hit the upright and off the rebound, Jonas Ekani’s effort was blocked by a defender. However the Stars were now showing better ideas and substitute José Filipe Caldeira Aguiar tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the area which was turned into a corner by Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg on 59 minutes. A Samir Arab effort hit the crossbar for Vittoriosa four minutes later.

Mosta managed to break the deadlock on 77 minutes thanks to substitute Cristian Martins Fernandes who advanced into the area before slotting past goalkeeper Jean Matthias Vella.

The Blues doubled the score four minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty after Clive Spiteri brought Cristian Fernandes down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Bojan Kaljevic made no mistake.

MOSTA Omar Borg, Manolito Micallef, Tyrone Farrugia, Kane Farrugia, Alex Cini, Ryan Grech, Lukas Duriska, Ricardo da Silva Faria (89’ Bryan Agius), Bojan Kaljevic, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani (66’ Cristian Martins Fernandes), Diego Pereira (82’ James Brincat).
Subs not used: Kurt Rizzo, Ishmael Grech, Mark Brincat, Kurt Zammit, James Brincat,.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

VITTORIOSA Jean Matthias Vella, Malcolm Buttigieg, Luke Vella Critien (38’ Clive Spiteri), Adam Spiteri (58’ José Filipe Caldeira Aguiar), Marcio Teruel, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Marcelo Pereira, Gilbert Martin (65’ Siraj Arab), Michael Camilleri, Oscar Alvarado Guerrero, Samir Arab.
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Justin Camilleri, Ryan Mifsud, Mark Barbara.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: Buttigieg, Duriska, Guerrero, C. Spiteri
Scorers: 77’ Cristian Martins Fernandes, 86’ Bojan Kaljevic pen
BOV Player of the Match: Diego Pereira