Obiefule stars in Mosta’s win

Mosta 3
Obiefule 18 penalty; 69; Zammit 78;
Mqabba 0

No one really expected an early harvest with this cold winter but Mosta have indeed blossomed since the January transfer window.

They added a list of new players but in Obinna Obiefule they have made a clever signing who has now scored eight goals in six matches for the Blues.

Obiefule is playing a leading role in this unexpected turn of events. He is a rarity not just for his energy but also for the impact on the team.

Against Mqabba, the Nigerian again showed all the composure and killer instincts that has been a feature in Mosta’s stunning turnaround of fortunes lately.

Five players returned to boost Steve D’Amato’s ranks yesterday as Adrian Borg, Federico Tisbi, Florent Raimy, Kurt Magro and Ian Zammit were back into the reckoning after missing the match against Hibernians.

Mqabba had Branislav Timotic in the side as Claudio Calleja and John Nwoba were also given the nod to start.

The match was flat at the outset with Mosta winning five consecutive flag-kicks from the right where Mqabba looked particularly vulnerable. However, the first real chance came Mqabba’s way when David Fenech drew a routine save from Jonathan Debono.

Mosta were quick to boot the ball upfield where Obiefule darted through. Fenech threw his body in the way of the striker in a desperate late lunge.

Penalty, yelled the Blues, but it was not before the assistant ref had waved his flag to signal the foul that the referee pointed to the spot.

A red card was shown by default as Fenech was the last player in Mqabba’s rearguard when the infringement had occurred.

Obiefule picked himself up and sent his spot-kick past Calleja for Mosta to open the score.

That was on 18 minutes, but, oddly enough, Mqabba started playing better with 10 men.

Claudio Calleja hit a low shot at Debono at the end of a flowing move and Nwoba thrashed a volley over after Pierre Grima had whipped in a cross from the left.

Then, just before half-time, Obiefule was on the spot again when the referee decided the Mosta powerhouse had been fouled by Clayton Micallef, although contact here look very minimal.

The penalty decision infuriated the Mqabba clan but they sighed with relief when Obiefule saw his penalty hit the upright and bounce to safety.

Pandemonium broke loose on the pitch and the sidelines and Raimy was sent off for hitting an opponent before the break.

Mqabba were expected to hit back after the restart but their pain increased on 69 minutes when Obiefule was first to a long clearance before he confidently looped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper – 2-0.

And D’Amato’s men were out of sight 12 minutes from time.

This time it was Zammit who ended a fine solo run with a precise finish from the rebound after his first shot was stopped by the woodwork.

Mosta
J. Debono-6.5, K. Farrugia-5, A. Borg-6, Y. Ossok-6, F. Tisbi-6, F. Raimy, K. Magro-7, T. Vella-5 (74 J. Bajada), I. Zammit-6.5 (84 G. Martin), O. Obiefule-8, S. Grech-5 (55 P. Mirceta-5).

Mqabba
K. Calleja-5, C. Micallef-5.5, P. Grima-6, M. Potezica-6, B. Timotic-6, J. Nwoba-6.5, D. Azzopardi-5, C. Calleja-5 (86 O. Farrugia), M. Bonnici-5.5 (76 M. Briffa), D. Fenech, B. Mamic-4.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Magro, Bonnici, Tisbi, Zammit, Micallef, K. Calleja.

Red cards: Fenech (MQB) 17; Raimy (MST) 45+1.

Missed penalty: Obiefule (MST) 45.

BOV player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Mosta).