After suffering five consecutive defeats, Mosta bounced back with a 2-1 win over Tarxien Rainbows.

Led by coach Peter Smith, who acted as assistant coach to Enrico Piccioni until last week, the Blues were a better side throughout the first half although they had to suffer their opponents’ pressure after the break.

Smith made two changes to the team which lost to Hibernians as Tyrone Farrugia and Pedro Calcado replaced Mark Brincat and Kurt Zammit in the starting line-up. Ryan Grech and Dyson Falzon were both unavailable. On the other hand, Triston Caruana replaced Manuel Caruana for Tarxien.

The Blues went close after just three minutes with a close-range effort by Bojan Kaljevic which was parried by Sean Mintoff.

On the 12th minute, Mosta took the lead when off a cross by Bojan Kaljevic from the right, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani served Manolito Micallef who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

The Rainbows replied with a great freekick by Carlos Menendez Hevia which was turned into a corner in style by Omar Borg on 23 minutes. Eight minutes later, Pedro Calcado had a shot blocked by Mintoff and off the rebound, Kaljevic’s attempt was parried by the Tarxien goalkeeper. Just before half-time off a cross by Kaljevic from the right, Bueno served Manolito Micallef whose header was neutralised by Mintoff.

Tarxien were determined to restore equilibrium after the break and Clebinho and Wesley Pipico had shots blocked by Omar Borg early in the second half.

The Rainbows equalised on the 55th when Cleber Barbosa Viana concluded a good move with a powerful rising shot which gave the Mosta goalkeeper no chance.

Pipico had a good attempt at goal on the 65th but his conclusion from the right hit the side netting.

The Blues regained the lead on 72 minutes when Bojan Kaljevic took advantage of a misunderstanding between two Tarxien defenders, placing the ball at the back of the net.

Tarxien replied with a Clebinho effort which was parried by Omar Borg with particular difficulty two minutes later.

MOSTA Omar Borg, Kurt Magro, Tyrone Farrugia, Adrian Borg (46′ Mark Brincat), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Daniel Mariano Bueno (87′ Youssou Lo), Nemanja Milovanovic, Kyle Frendo, Pedro dos Santos Calcado (64′ Kurt Zammit), Manolito Micallef, Bojan Kaljevic.
Subs not used: Kyle Gerada, Karl Pulo, Ishmael Grech, Aaron Sammut.
Coach: Peter Smith

TARXIEN Sean Mintoff, Owen Bugeja, Alvaro Andre Rodrigues Silva (46′ Cleber Barbosa Viana), Triston Caruana, Wesley Lima Silva, Ryan Sammut, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Alex Cini, Matthew Tabone (67′ Manuel Caruana), Alessandro Lopes Pereira, Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Steve Sadowski, Kane Farrugia, Manuel Xerri, Luke Aquilina.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Duncan Sultana
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Magro, Tabone, Pedrinho, T. Caruana, Bugeja
Scorers: 12′ Manolito Micallef (M); 55′ Clebinho (T); 72′ Bojan Kaljevic (M)
BOV Player of the Match: Wesley Lima Silva
Attendance: 688