Obiefule scores four as Mosta rout Marsaxlokk

MOSTA-5, MARSAXLOKK-0

Obinna Obiefule scored four goals as Mosta annihilated the already-relegated Marsaxlokk 5-0 to keep their survival hopes alive.

The first half was dominated by Mosta.

Eight minutes into the game, Yannick Ossok headed wide from Bryan Agius's corner.

Agius then laid the ball back for Zammit who produced a powerful shot that was fisted away by Christian Cassar. Minutes later, Zammit fired high after receiving from Obiefule.

Mosta continued to attack but they were twice denied by the woodwork from Zammit's first-time shot and Obiefule's header.

Their pressure paid off on 20 minutes. Obiefule dribbled his way past Patrick Borg before drilling a low shot past Cassar.

With Marsaxlokk failing to make a reaction, Mosta remained in control.

Nine minutes from half-time they threatened to increase their lead.

Jonathan Bajada drifted infield from the left before producing a strong shot that drew a fine save from Cassar.

Marsaxlokk survived another scare when Yannick Ossok fired wide after swapping passes with Obiefule.

Bajada, on two occasions, had efforts deflected away for a corner before Cassar blocked Obiefule's header from Agius's corner.

Mosta made the points safe with a three-goal blitz early in the second half. After just two minutes, Obiefule doubled their lead, hitting past Cassar after being put through by Zammit.

The Nigerian completed his hat-trick two minutes later when he dashed through the poor Marsaxlokk defence, rounded the goalkeeper and fired home.

Zammit then hit wide after receiving from Bajada but, on 52 minutes, Obiefule scored his fourth after pouncing on more hesitant defending by Marsaxlokk.

Cassar then saved from Bajada who, on 62 minutes, was denied by the woodwork.

The erstwhile untested Jonathan Debono made his first save on 70 minutes, fisting away Jean Paul Farrugia's shot from the distance.

Five minutes later, Mosta made it 5-0 thanks to Zammit who scored with acrobatic volley after receiving from Agius.

In stoppage time, Mosta substitute Luca Martinelli denied Marsaxlokk a consolation goal when blocking Farrugia's header on the line after the Malta U-21 striker had anticipated Debono to meet from Darrel Grech's corner.

Obiefule was named BOV player of the match.