Goal bonanza lifts spirited Mosta

Hamrun Spartans 3
Mosta 5

Mosta revelled in a thrilling 5-3 win over Hamrun Spartans to turn on the heat in the Relegation Pool. Charles Agius' side sealed their second victory on the trot with two goals in the final 20 minutes to draw level on points with the Spartans and leave Pietà rock bottom in the standings.

The Blues are now starting to believe that they can pull off a stunning Houdini act in their bid to avoid the drop, a feat which looked beyond them only two weeks ago. Following the 3-1 win over Pietà, Mosta kept their momentum with another solid performance as they added another name to their list of scalps.

On their part, the Spartans stumbled to their second consecutive defeat. Perhaps, the only consolation for Michael Degiorgio's side was the brace notched by Stefan Sultana. He has now amassed 187 top-flight league goals since his debut in 1983.

This was the highest goal-scoring encounter of the season. Both sets of supporters were kept on their toes as fortunes swayed before Hamrun wilted late in the match and ended playing with nine men after Patrick Ndah and Jonathan Magri Overend were sent off.

The Spartans took to this match without Gaetan Spiteri as Magri Overend and Ryan Fenech passed a late fitness test.

Mosta had to do without utility defender Pio Sciriha and started with Ikechukwu Chibueze in attack and fellow Nigerian Udo Nwoko deployed in midfield.

Mosta were the sprightlier team in the opening exchanges as they twice went close to breaking the deadlock.

Okonkwo headed the ball forward and Chibueze was quick to latch on the pass and try his luck with a shot that was parried by Jason Cordina.

Then, Ivan Zammit miscued his shot and Bilocca was at hand to capitalise on the mistake but Cordina came to the rescue.

The Spartans were forced into an early substitution when Okoro was injured just before the first quarter.

On 20 minutes, Mosta were awarded a penalty after a faulty clearance by Zammit enabled Chibueze to win possession. The Nigerian tried to outpace Sadowski who wrestled the player to the ground and the referee ordered a penalty. Okonkwo's kick was not the best of efforts but the ball had enough spin to evade Cordina's clutches and roll into the net.

Despite the setback, the Spartans refused to throw in the towel and deservedly drew level on the half hour. Sultana headed the ball towards substitute Nwankwo who flashed in with a thundering drive that hit the underside of the crossbar and ricocheted into the net.

Nine minutes from half-time, Mosta regained the lead. Following a free-kick, Okonkwo let the ball reach the unmarked Chibueze who completed formalities from close range.

Mosta could have surged further ahead as the lively Bartolo delivered a cross from the right towards the unmarked Falzon who had enough time to control the ball but hit the shot hopelessly wide.

As the two minutes of stoppage time were about to elapse, the Spartans drew level once more. Fenech sent in a free-kick from the left with the ball flying awkwardly in front of goal, probably due to the strong wind, but Sultana was on the right spot to head home.

More drama was in store in the opening minutes after the interval.

On 49 minutes, Ndah lashed out at Chibueze in an off-the-ball incident. The referee consulted with his assistant before brandishing a red card as the Spartans were reduced to ten men.

To worsen matters for Hamrun, four minutes later Mosta were awarded a penalty after a rash tackle by Ryan Fenech on Bartolo. Chibueze converted the kick to restore his side's lead for the third time in the match.

Trailing 3-2 and playing with ten men, the Spartans did the unthinkable and levelled the score once again courtesy of a defensive blunder by Spasic who handled the ball in an attempt to clear to safety on 64 minutes. Skipper Sultana stepped up for the kick and beat Farrugia to make it three-all.

Midway through the second half, Mosta were unlucky not to forge ahead as Chibueze turned provider with a perfect cross that had Bilocca's header rebounding off the post.

Yet, the Blues were not to be denied as they scored another goal on 70 minutes. Bartolo drifted downfield before serving Okonkwo who beat Cordina with a firm grounder.

Hamrun were reduced to nine men on 81 minutes when Magri Overend received a second caution for a foul on Chibueze.

With the odds heavily staked against Degiorgio's men, Hamrun nearly sprang a surprise when substitute Cucciardi rifled a good shot from the edge of the penalty area that was somehow saved by Farrugia.

Mosta's fifth goal came on 83 minutes. Falzon started the move and substitute Camilleri quickly flicked a pass towards Nwoko. The Nigerian calmly beat Cordina to seal a priceless victory for his side.

Hamrun: J. Cordina-6, I. Zammit-5.5, P. Ndah, S. Sadowski-6, R. Fenech-5.5 ('71 D. Galea), R. Mangion-6 ('77 D. Cucciardi), J. Magri Overend, A. Mansueto-6, K. Borg-6, M. Okoro ('13 C. Nwankwo-7), S. Sultana-7.

Mosta: M. Farrugia-7, M. Bartolo-8 ('88 M. Borg), I. Bilocca-7 ('71 P. Camilleri), S. Borg-6.5, I. Chibueze-8, D. Falzon-7, J. Grech-6.5 ('56 J. Caruana-6.5), R. Newell-6.5, U. Nwoko-7, D. Okonkwo-7, M. Spasic-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Scorers: Okonkwo 20 pen, 70; Nwankwo 30; Chibueze 36, 53 pen; Sultana 45, 64 pen; Nwoko 83.

Yellow Cards: Sadowski, Chibueze, Zammit, Borg

Red Cards: Ndah 49; Magri Overend 81.

BoV Player of the Match: Ikechukwu Chibueze (Mosta).