Mosta return to winning ways

After losing four of the previous seven matches, Mosta returned to winning ways as they beat Zebbug Rangers 3-1 to move seventh, three points ahead of Naxxar and five ahead of Pietà, Tarxien and Zebbug.

For Zebbug, this was the fourth defeat in five matches, leaving them second from bottom, one point ahead of bottom-placed Tarxien.

Mosta had a number of changes from the team which lost to Qormi as Adrian Borg, Udo Fortune, Karl Pulo, Haruna Babangida and Ian Zammit replaced Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Yannick Ossok, Zachary Brincat and the suspended Dyson Falzon and Gary Roberts. Luke Montebello and Miguel Ciantar were named in the starting line-up for Zebbug, replacing Lee Galea and Thomas Paris

Following a goalless first-half, Mosta managed to break the deadlock three minutes in the second half when off an Ian Zammit freekick, Haruna Babangida’s first-time effort gave goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo no chance.

The Blues doubled the score on 76 minutes when off a cross from the left by James Brincat, Ian Zammit headed the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo with the ball ending beyond the goal line despite David Alejandro Reano’s desperate attempt to clear the ball into safety.

Eleven minutes from time, Udo Fortune sealed the issue with a third goal after he took advantage of the goalkeeper’s indecision.

Zebbug pulled one back on the 82nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Karl Pulo brought Jacob Borg down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Carlo Gordon Monti converted. Pulo was sent off by referee Alan Mario Sant for using abusive language.

ZEBBUG Manuel Bartolo, Yessous Camilleri, Jacob Borg, Paltemio Barbetti, Matthew Bartolo, David Alejandro Reano, Matthias Muchardi (63′ Mauricio Osmar Rodrigues Britto), Rashid Yussuff, Carlo Monti, Luke Montebello, Miguel Ciantar (64′ Thomas Paris).
Subs not used: Jeffrey Farrugia, Melvin Farrugia, Matthew Gauci, Kurt Zammit, Lee Galea.
Coach: Alfonso Greco

MOSTA Omar Borg, Mickael Nicoise Dawood (32′ James Brincat), Ian Zammit, Udo Fortune, Karl Pulo, Adrian Borg (46′ Mark Brincat), Haruna Babangida (84′ Yannick Ossok), Kurt Magro, Tyrone Farrugia, Ousman Koli, Ryan Grech.
Subs not used: Kyle Gerada, Alieu Darbo, Aaron Sammut, Matteo Di Vita.
Coach: Peter Smith

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: Magro, Monti, Reano, Paris, Pulo
Red Cards: 81′ Karl Pulo
Scorers: 48′ Haruna Babangida, 76′ Ian Zammit, 79′ Udo Fortune, 82′ Carlo Monti
BOV Player of the Match: Haruna Babangida