Despite ending the game in ten men, Mosta rescued a point in a 2-2 draw with Birzebbuga St. Peter’s in a match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Mosta have therefore gone three matches without a win but for Birzebbuga, this was the first point after six defeats in the first six matches. It was undoubtedly the best performance so far for the Saints who had coach Luciano Santana making his official debut.
Birzebbuga managed to take the lead four minutes in added time, before the end of the first half when off a swift counter-break, Alex Bruno served Yuri Messias who advanced into the area and rounded the goalkeeper before placing the ball at the back of the net. Mosta levelled matters seven minutes in the half when when Foguete took a loose ball following a short clearance by a defender and served Giancarlo Goncalves who rounded a defender before beating goalkeeper Mattia Chiesa with a fine curling shot from the right. The Saints regained the lead on 66 minutes when off a Jackson Mendoza corner from the right, Juan Bolanos headed home past goalkeeper Akpan. Substitute Kurt Bondin was unlucky to hit the crossbar for Birzebbuga with a shot from the edge of the area on 71 minutes. Five minutes later, Giancarlo Goncalves was sent off for Mosta on 76 minutes after receiving two yellow cards in three minutes. However, on 81 minutes, Mosta levelled matters when they were awarded a penalty following FVS review for a foul on Kurt Zammit and from the penalty spot, Nevin Portelli converted.
>> Mosta vs Birzebbuga St. Peter’s match card