Mosta started 2020 on a positive note as they bounced back from a disappointing run of four consecutive defeats with a narrow win over Gudja United at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday. A match which was originally scheduled for December 14 and which effectively brought to an end the first round of the BOV Premier League.

This win enables Mark Miller’s side to join Birkirkara on the 16-point mark in the eighth place, two points ahead of Sliema Wanderers and Gudja United.

Apart from new recruit Pedro Luiz Soares Gusso who joined the club from Lija Athletic, Miller handed the debut to Nigerian youngster Christ Evo Ememe who has so far featured for the Blues in the Youths League. Gudja, on the other hand, had Nivaldo Rodrigues Ferreira making his debut after being included as a substitute mid-way through the second half. 

The result was quite disappointing for Josef Mansueto’s side as they eyed another positive result following three wins and a draw from their last four league matches.

Rundell Winchester failed to connect off an inviting cross by Aidan Friggieri early in the game but Mosta soon threatened with a Gabriel Aquilina effort which was saved by Debono following a cross by Dexter Xuereb.

Mosta managed to take the lead on the 26th minute thanks to a cross shot from the right by Dexter Xuereb which beat goalkeeper Jonathan Debono. 

Two minutes later, Anderson de Barros had a powerful shot deflected into a corner for Gudja.

Four minutes in the second half, Ememe headed wide off a cross from the right by Xuereb. Gudja replied with a solo effort by substitute Gabriel Mensah ending wide on the 55th and on the 69th, Miguel Antonio Jimenez received an assist by Nivalo on the right but his angled shot was blocked by Andreas Vella.

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Pedro Luiz Soares Gusso, Gabriel Aquilina, Weverton Gomes, Duane Bonnici, Dexter Xuereb, Tyrone Farrugia, David James Brown, Matias Muchardi, Zachary Brincat, Christ Evo Ememe.
Subs not used: Andre Spiteri, Matthias Ablett, Dale Mifsud, Kyle Frendo, Usman Dahiru Mohammed, Nathan Agius, Kyle Gatt.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Joseph Grech

GUDJA Jonathan Debono, Jonathan Bondin, Zachary Cassar (66’ Nivaldo Rodrigues Ferreira), Aidan Jake Friggieri, Rundell Winchester (85’ Justin Grioli), Llywelyn Cremona, James Brincat (50’ Gabriel Mensah), Anderson de Barros, Miguel Antonio Jimenez, Juan Andres Bolano, Allan Ricardo Miranda.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Matthew Xerxen, Jurgen Farrugia, Peter Paul Sammut.
Coach: Josef Mansueto
Asst. Coach: Thane Micallef

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: T. Farrugia, L. Cremona, A. Vella, Z. Brincat
BOV Player of the Match: Dexter Xuereb
Attendance: 157