Marsaxlokk reach semis, Mosta claim first win

St Patrick 0
Marsaxlokk 1

Marsaxlokk made it three wins out of three to book their place in the semi-finals of the Division One Knock-Out after last night they beat a St Patrick side who played on a par with their more-quoted opponents.

Patrick Curmi's southerners looked the more polished football and were a joy to watch while at the other end the Saints played a prudent game, relying more on swift counter-attacks with Thomas Caruana doing most of the damage.

After only a minute Caruana sprinted through the Marsaxlokk defence with his shot being saved by Glenn Zammit.

Gradually, Marsaxlokk started to find their rhythm but although pressing forward they had to wait until the 19th minute to have a shot at goal when Peter Pullicino's drive finished just over the crossbar.

Marsaxlokk finally found the breakthrough on 28 minutes when Roderick Bajada's scorcher gave Sean Mintoff no chance.

Marsaxlokk continued to press forward and on 34 minutes Dylan Kokavessis entered the Saints area but his drive was blocked by Mintoff and from the rebound Malcolm Licari drove the ball wide.

Just before the break Gareth Sciberras should have done better when he headed wide from six metres following a good cross by Carlo Mamo.

On 56 minutes Caruana should have done better when he shot weakly into the hands of the Marsaxlokk custodian after he was set up by Alexander Ellul.

Marsaxlokk continued to dominate possession for the rest of the match but inspite of all this they were rarely dangerous.

St Patrick: S. Mintoff; M. Pullicino, D. Gauci, S. Zerafa (R. Cassar), B. Bugeja (Y. Tonna), L. Scibberas, A. Ellul (G. Failla), R. Mifsud, T. Caruana, T. Farrugia, J. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit; C. Mamo (S. Cutajar), G. Sciberras, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, M. Licari (J.C. Vella), W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat (E. Yantchev), R. Bajada, D. Kokavessis, F. Raimy.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Melita 2
Mosta 4

Mark Briggs inspired Mosta to their first win in the Division One KO when he struck twice against a Melita side who were suffering their first defeat of the competition.

Mosta had a fine start and scored twice inside the opening eight minutes.

The clock marked four minutes when Terrence Vella stole the ball just outside the Melita area and fired a powerful low drive that rolled into the net.

Melita suffered another setback four minutes later when Lyden Micallef was brought down in the area by Jonathan Mifsud and from the penalty spot it was Vella again who beat Jean Pierre Debattista for the second time.

Mosta looked set to run riot as they continued to dominate the proceedings, but Melita were given a lifeline on 27 minutes when former Mosta striker Ives Bilocca scored directly from a free-kick.

Melita managed to draw level on 47 minutes when Bilocca scored from an acute angle.

But Oliver Spiteri's side did not rest on their laurels as Briggs masterminded a fine goal on 54 minutes when he blasted the ball home from the edge of the area.

Mosta were unlucky when in the space of two minutes they hit the post twice. First it was Bryan Agius whose fierce drive hit the bar and then Vella's drive that was saved by Debattista on to a post.

But on 62 minutes Mosta put the game to bed when Briggs blasted the ball home from a freekick. Mosta continued to dominate the match and Vella drove the ball just wide, while Briggs was close to his hat-trick but his effort was well blocked by Debattista.

Melita: J.P. Debattista, M. Attard, G. Gribbon, A. Caruana Scicluna, M. Martin, K. Micallef, L. Sammut (L. Micallef), J. Galea, J. Mifsud (M. Mamo), I. Bilocca, N. Zammit (T. Torpougoff).

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, A. Cini (L. Stivala), B. Agius, M. Briggs, J. Vella, M. Farrugia (L. Grima), L. Micallef, T. Vella, C. Pace (P. Vassallo)

Referee: Marco Borg