10-man Vittoriosa Stars back to the summit

Vittoriosa Stars 3
Mqabba 1

Despite playing with 10 men, Vittoriosa produced a superb second-half showing to beat Mqabba and go back to the top of the First Division. After a poor first half, during which Mqabba took the lead, Winston Muscat's side hit back strongly to win another three valuable points.

Mqabba looked a determined side and although the initial stages of the match were somewhat boring, they held the edge, passing the ball well and causing some problems to the more quoted Vittoriosa.

Mqabba went close on 11 minutes when Mark Gauci powered his way through but saw his shot saved with a foot by goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Three minutes later a John Paul Muscat volley finished just over the Stars' goal.

Vittoriosa, who were without Makinwa, had Michael Borg Olivier back in attack and gradually they started to find more space to manoeuvre giving the Mqabba rearguard some torrid time.

However, it was Mqabba who forged ahead when Jeffrey Chetcuti was tripped in the box and from the spot Wilson Caushi drove the ball home despite Bonello guessing the right way.

Vittoriosa reacted immediately and only took five minutes to equalise when Borg Olivier beat Kris Calleja with a low, hard drive from the edge of the area.

A minute before the break an argument broke out in midfield with several players involved. When order was restored, the referee red-carded Jonathan Xerri, of Vittoriosa.

Despite the numerical handicap, Vittoriosa started the second half full of promise and guile. They were unlucky on the hour not to take the lead when Joseph Chetcuti's shot was cleared off the line by Omar Grech. From the rebound, Johan Grech's effort was saved by Calleja.

At the other end, Grech found space following a quick break but his shot from an acute angle was cleared by the Vittoriosa rearguard.

The Stars forged ahead 18 minutes from time when Chetcuti hit home following a Leontin Chitescu centre from the right flank.

Six minutes from time Chitescu wrapped the points for the Cottonera side when the Romanian curled the ball home from the edge of the area.

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, P. Aquilina, J. Xerri, J. Camilleri (B. Bonnici), J. Chetcuti, B. Muscat, J. Spiteri, C. Micallef, J. Chetcuti (P. Camilleri), L. Chitescu, M. Borg Olivier (G. Inguanez).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, P. Borg, M. Gauci, C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat (G. Barry), C. Farrugia (E. Borg), E. Navarro (M. Anastasi), J. Debattista, O. Grech, W. Caushi.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Man of the match: Leontin Chitescu (Vittoriosa Stars).

Mosta win leaves Saints reeling

San Ġwann 0
Mosta 1

Mosta followed up their midweek Anniversary Cup quarter-final victory over Sliema Wanderers with another win in the championship yesterday to move away from the danger zone in the standings.

The Blues deserved the three points but could have paid a high price for not profiting from the open chances that came their way besides being denied by the woodwork twice.

Julian Vella was again the inspiration for Mosta with Mark Briggs a commanding figure in midfield. Up front, Victor Osobu again showed his worth for Mosta with some fast running and attempts at goal.

San Ġwann disappointed badly and following this upset they are now rock bottom with only six points from ten outings. Time is fast running out for the Saints.

Mosta's Gilbert Martin was unlucky on 19 minutes when his shot struck the San Ġwann upright. Osobu released Briggs with a clever back-heel soon after but keeper Justin Spiteri did well to save the ensuing shot.

Mark Brincat headed just over the bar from a Vella corner and the Saints hit back on 35 minutes when Leeroy Bonnet beat the offside trap but was foiled by Jonathan Debono.

This was San Ġwann's best spell and a few minutes later Sergio Hili found the unmarked Bonnet who hit high from a good position.

But the final minutes before half-time belonged to Mosta.

Martin shot into the side-netting from a free-kick and Terence Vella sped past two defenders but his shot came off the post.

Mosta pushed more men forward in the second half but with little luck as Osobu shot straight at the keeper after being put through by Terence Vella and a Julian Vella free-kick just missed the target.

Martin was sent tumbling inside the Saints' box but the referee saw nothing untoward. Twenty minutes from time Mosta scored what proved to be the winner. A free-kick by Julian Vella hit the bar and from the rebound Brincat headed home despite protests by the San Ġwann players about an infringement.

Mosta could have scored again five minutes later but Martin, with only the keeper to beat, messed up his chance. Substitute Lyden Micallef also had the chance to secure the points earlier for the Blues but drove his shot wide from underneath the bar.

San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, R. Sammut, L. Cumbo (N. Curmi), M. Francica, M. Caruana, A. Borg, S. Pisani, F. Aboulezz, R. Sell, S. Hili (C. Cuschieri), L. Bonnet.

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, B. Agius, M. Brincat, M. Briggs, J. Vella (L. Stivala), T. Vella (B. Galea), L. Grima, G. Martin (L. Micallef), V. Osobu.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Man of the match: Julian Vella (Mosta).