Mosta registered a second win in the VBET Malta Premier as they scored twice in the first half to beat ten-man Balzan 2-1 in a match from the league phase of the Opening Round at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.
Balzan had a player sent off early in the game and although they conceded two goals, they created several chances but found Mosta goalkeeper David Udoh Akpan in excellent form, denying them on a number of occasions.
Jake Portelli was preferred to Isaac Davey for Balzan. Two new signings, Mohammed Marzuq Yahaya and Valentino Yuel were included as substitutes. Mosta, on the other hand, had new signing Foguete replacing Sacha Cachia after the win over Mosta. Apart from Foguete, the Blues also had Geoffrey Acheampong making his first appearance.
Balzan were reduced to ten men after just eleven minutes when Jake Portelli was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Prince Afriyie.
Mosta managed to take the lead on 24 minutes thanks to Giancarlo Goncalves who rounded two players before beating goalkeeper Manuel Djalo with a powerful shot from outside the area.
One minute from the end of the first half, the Blues doubled the score when off an assist by Ernest Agyiri from the right, Prince Afriyie controlled the ball before hitting low past the Balzan goalkeeper.
Seven minutes in the second half, Balzan reduced the gap. Leo Fernandes delivered a cross from the right and Nikola Djoric headed the ball home from close range.