Brave Mosta hold out for a draw

Valletta 0
Mosta 0

After Mosta's shock win against Floriana in their last league outing, many thought that those points won were another one-off bonus. Yesterday they sprang another surprise, this time at the hands of second-placed Valletta when they managed to hang on to a precious point, which turned out to be well-deserved.

Again it was a sound rearguard display, nourished by excellent covering particularly from Cristiano de Oliveira and sweeper Pio Sciriha, which time and again foiled the frantic City forwards.

On top of that there was the figure of Charles Sciberras in goal which grew increasingly taller as the game came to a close. His excellent saves earned the plaudits of all those present and went a long way towards earning his team minimum, but justified, spoils.

Valletta could not really get going, never mind the tremendous work of Daniel Theuma, Renie Forace and to a certain extent Gilbert Agius.

In the end they had nothing to show for all their efforts. Two points lost meant that they are now three adrift of leaders Sliema.

Despite the goodwill from both sides, there was nothing of relevance in the opening minutes except for a scare when Darren Debono went down in pain following a midfield clash with an opponent. Unfortunately, the Valletta and Malta defender had to quit the field of play, with his place being taken by Edward Azzopardi.

The football from both teams was of the helter skelter type as no quarter was given. Mosta survived a penalty scare when a shot from Agius appeared to come off the hands of Matthew Agius. The pressure was coming from the Lilywhites.

Valletta's attacking trident of Bogdanovic, Oretan and Agius kept shifting positions but the Mosta defenders, anchored by Sciriha alongside stoppers Bryan Agius and de Oliveira, covered all spaces.

A looping header from Paul Zammit ended just over the target, while at the other end, Bogdanovic ran through but he elected to pass to Oretan, whose goal was ruled out for offside. A header from the same player, off a free-kick, was stopped by Sciberras.

With half-time looming, the Lilywhites doubled their efforts but danger was mainly coming from set-pieces. In added time the Mosta goalkeeper pulled off a fine save when he turned to a corner a low shot from Agius.

The onus was on the white-shirted players to break the duck and an interval pep talk from Dennis Fenech could not have gone missing. Similarly, Vince Carbonaro must have demanded continued concentration from his lads.

The first ripple after ends were changed came from Mosta.

Midfielder Kevin Loughborough cutely released Roderick Asciak but the latter shot weakly and Sullivan saved easily.

Mosta, without da Silva, Albert Busuttil, Ryan Newell and Carlos Camenzuli, were playing better at this stage. A chance fell to Agius but he miscued his shot.

Forace, up with his colleagues, forced Sciberras into another excellent save. Valletta again pushed forward as Mosta pulled more men around their penalty box. Oretan relinquished his place to Trevor Thomas.

The Lilywhites certainly did not relish the restricted space deep inside their opponents' territory. Set-pieces followed in succession with Forace hitting over the target on a Bogdanovic flag-kick. The minutes went ticking away and Valletta grew increasingly urgent.

Five minutes from time Gilbert Agius ran clear on the left only to hit over. Desperation crept into the City ranks.

Mosta came closest to breaking the deadlock when Zammit's close range shot was instinctively stopped by Sullivan, with successive efforts being desperately blocked.

At the other end the inspirational Sciberras pulled off great saves on Pace and Gilbert Agius. The final whistle saw the brave Mosta players holding out to a very creditable draw.

The applause from their fans was fully deserved.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, D. Theuma, R. Forace, G. Agius, C. Oretan (T. Thomas), D. Bogdanovic (J. Agius), K. Fenech, M. Penchev, B. Pace, D. Debono (E. Azzopardi), J. Bondin.

Mosta: C. Sciberras, P. Sciriha, B. Agius, A. Terzyski, D. Cuschieri, C. Mizzi (P. Vassallo), R. Asciak (D. Falzon), M. Agius, K. Loughborough, P. Zammit (A. Chetcuti), C. de Oliveira.

Referee: J.R. Attard.

Yellow Cards: B. Agius, M. Agius, Mizzi, Cuschieri, Sciriha; Fenech, Penchev, Forace.