Substitute Agius ends Mosta's perfect start

Mosta 0
Dingli Swallows 1

Veteran striker Jeremy Agius came off the bench to score a brilliant goal and hand Dingli Swallows their first win of the season at the expense of Mosta who lost their 100 per cent record.

With 14 minutes remaining, Agius dribbled his way through and beat goalkeeper Jonathan Debono as Mosta were made to pay for their lack of punch up front.

Although Michael Molzahn's team saw more of the ball, it was Dingli who created the better scoring chances. Most of the action was restricted to the centre of the pitch as both sides crowded the midfield in an attempt to cut out the supply lines to the respective strikers.

Thanks to this win, Dingli, considered among the main contenders for promotion in pre-season, look set to join the fight for the top two places along with the likes of Mosta and St Patrick.

The first half was a tight affair with Mosta enjoying more possession than Dingli who opted for a cautious approach. Jesmond Zammit's side were well organised in defence, clearing crosses, corners and everything Mosta threw at them in the opening 30 minutes.

Mosta came close to taking the lead on 31 minutes when Adrian Borg headed the ball wide from close range following a Gianluca Calabretta cross.

On the stroke of half-time, Dingli almost scored from their first notable attack but Jason Cachia hit wide after receiving a cross from Christian Muscat.

As the second half got underway, Mosta increased their attacking tempo by pushing more men forward. Calabretta drove the ball over the crossbar from just outside the area inside the first minute of the second half.

Dingli responded on 52 minutes when Kurt Formosa crossed for veteran striker Mark Galea who drove his shot against the side-netting from an inviting position.

With 14 minutes left, Dingli edged ahead. A string of passes ended with Agius showing exquisite skill to run past Melvin Farrugia before flicking the ball past Debono in the Mosta goal.

Mosta were shell-shocked and two minutes from time, Dingli might have sealed the issue but Christopher Azzopardi fired wide from close in after getting on the end of a pass from Uchanna Anywanna.

In stoppage time, Mosta threatened to level matters but Dingli goalkeeper Grech did well to block Bryan Agius's corner as a posse of Mosta players looked in a good position to stab the ball home.

Mosta
J. Debono, B. Agius, A. Borg (L. Micallef), J. Borg, S. Borg, G. Calabretta, G. Camilleri (C. Camenzuli), A. Ewurum, M. Farrugia, N.Gatt. E. Vella (P. Vassallo).

Dingli
R. Grech, E. Casha, R. Spiteri (G. Failla), C. Ciappara (J. Agius), K. Formosa, V. Fiteni, C. Muscat, J. Cachia, R. Mintoff, M. Galea (C. Azzopardi), U. Anywanna.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Jeremy Agius (Dingli).