Mosta return to winning ways

mosta-balzan130922Mosta returned to winning ways as they defeated Balzan 3-1. Three points which put Danilo Doncic’s side in fifth place on nine points as this was the third win in five matches.

For Balzan, this was the third consecutive defeat after collecting four points in the first two matches.

Fabio Vignaroli and Rodrigo Pereira were missing for Balzan with the Brazilian defender pulling out of the game just before the match. Kane Farrugia was missing for Mosta.

After a quiet start, Mosta were awarded a penalty on the 17th minute when Mark Spiteri pulled Manolito Micallef down inside the area. From the penalty spot, Bojan Kaljevic converted to put the Blues ahead.

Six minutes later, Mosta doubled the score thanks to a perfect header by Ryan Grech off a cross by Alex Cini from the right.

Balzan replied with a Mark Spiteri solo effort concluded with a low shot ending just wide on 37 minutes. Bojan Kaljevic then hit high off another inviting cross by Alex Cini.

Four minutes in the second half, Balzan reduced the gap when Gianluca Calabretta chipped the ball over the Mosta defence and substitute Ryan Darmanin beat Omar Borg with a fine overhead kick.

Balzan were reduced to ten men on 56 minutes as Firas Aboulezz was sent off for a rough tackle on Jonas Ekani Rodriguez.

Mosta sealed the issue with a third goal seven minutes from time when Kurt Zammit released Ricardinho on the left and off a fine run by Brazilian midfielder, he served the unmarked Diego Pereira who slotted the ball past Dani Miguelez.

The Blues also ended in ten men as Diego Pereira had to abandon the pitch injured on the 87th minute after sustaining an injury in the action which led to the third goal.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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BALZAN Daniel Miguelez Martinez, Justin Grioli, Aaron Agius (63′ Levi Fernandez), Andrew Scicluna, Steve Bezzina, Firas Aboulezz, Luke Sciberras, Dylan Grima, Gianluca Calabretta, Mark Spiteri (41′ Ryan Darmanin), Jose Luis Armario Negrin (75′ Lydon Micallef).
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Godwin McKay, Andrew Cassar, Michael Borg.
Coach: Riccardo Tumiatti

MOSTA Omar Borg, Alex Cini, Tyrone Farrugia, Mark Brincat, Manolito Micallef (79′ Kurt Zammit), Ryan Grech, Lukas Duriska, Yuri de Jesus Messias, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani (66′ Ishmael Grech), Ricardo Silva Faria, Bojan Kaljevic (70′ Diego Pereira).
Subs not used: Kurt Rizzo, Giancarlo Sammut, Bryan Agius, James Brincat.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Additional Assistant Referees: Andre Arciola, Mario Apap
Fourth Official: Luke Portelli
Yellow Cards: Spiteri, Kaljevic, Sciberras, Duriska, Grech
Red Cards: 56′ Firas Aboulezz
Scorers: 18′ Bojan Kaljevic pen (M); 23′ Ryan Grech (M); 49′ Ryan Darmanin (B); 83′ Diego Pereira (M)
BOV Player of the Match: Ricardo Silva Faria