MELITA 0
MOSTA 5
Obiefule 18, 57, Bogdanovic 74, 90 pen, Zongo 77 pen

As co-tenants of third spot with Hibs and Sliema, Mosta had the opportunity to steal a march on their rivals as they met strugglers Melita in the opening match of this weekend’s Premier League programme.

The high-flying Blues did what was expected of them as they easily dismissed the challenge of Melita to move alongside Birkirkara on the 19-point mark, albeit the Stripes have a game in hand.

The technical skills and attacking prowess of Mosta’s forward personnel, the likes of Ousseni Zongo, Daniel Bogdanovic and Obinna Obiefule, who scored a brace apiece, proved too much for this toothless Melita team who, having limited the damage to one goal in the first half, went into freefall after the change of ends.

Mosta had paid a high price for their profligacy in their goalless stalemate with Balzan but fears of another blunt outing for their strikers were allayed when Obiefule gave them an early lead before the Blues ran riot in the second half.

The flu-stricken Zongo was certified fit to start as the Burkina Faso winger was preferred to Carlos Campagnoli. Onyii Steve Chiemeka filled the void left by the suspended Luke Dimech and Alex Cini came in for the injured Bryan Agius.

Mitev and Bogdanovic were given freedom to roam and interchange in support of Obiefule in Mosta’s 4-3-3 formation.

Melita coach Martin Gregory opted for two changes from the defeat to Sliema as the returning Matthew Borg and Michael Valenzia replaced George Gribbon and Luke Sammut.

Gregory retained a 4-1-4-1 strategy with Spanish striker Jose Luis Armaro Negrin leading the line.

Mosta showed the better ideas early on. Bogdanovic’s shot was partially cleared and Ryan Grech’s ensuing grounder was easily blocked by Sapiano.

The Blues’ brighter start was rewarded on 18 minutes when Mano Micallef passed to Mitev who advanced before passing to Obiefule who placed his shot beyond Sapiano’s reach.

Obiefule’s early breakthrough will have done little to raise Melita’s confidence but Gregory’s men began to show signs of improvement as the first half progressed.

Borg’s through-ball just eluded Galea while Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho headed over from Jovan Vukanic’s set-piece cross.

The affluence of creative players in Mosta’s ranks gave them an edge as Melita, despite their endeavours to keep their tactical shape, were finding it hard to cope with the movement of their opponents

Seven minutes into the second, Ivan Tufegdzic misguided his header from Vukanic’s free-kick.

Another fluid move by Melita had Mosta on the backfoot as Nigel Rizzo picked Sierra Camacho on the right and latter’s cross rolled towards Negrin but the Spaniard was closed down by Bezzina.

Any optimism Melita will have gleaned from their positive start to the second half was dented when Mosta made it 2-0 on 57 minutes.

Zongo made a good run through the middle before switching the ball to Bogdanovic on the left. The Mosta captain’s curling effort cannoned off the bar but the loose ball dropped in the goalmouth where Obiefule blasted home.

Sierra Camacho squandered a good opportunity for Melita as he skied his shot over the bar after the ball was deflected into his path inside the box.

With 16 minutes left, Mosta sealed their win. Zongo delivered an inviting cross from the right and Bogdanovic’s far-post header had the better of Sapiano.

Melita’s woes deepened when they gave away a penalty after Galea appeared to upend the incoming Campagnoli in the box. Zongo powered his shot past Sapiano.

In stoppage time, Mosta were awarded a second penalty when Karl Vella Petroni was adjudged to have brought down substitute Jonathan Bajada. Bogdanovic’s firm drive sent the net bulging.

Melita: M. Sapiano-4, M. Borg-5 (81 A. Caruana Scicluna), I. Tufegdzic-5, M.R. Sierra Camacho-6, M. Valenzia-4, K. Vella Petroni-4, N. Rizzo-5 (62 L. Sammut-4), J. Galea-5.5, L. Micallef-5, J. Vukanic-6 (81 R. Alhinho), J.L. Armaro Negrin-4.

Mosta: J. Haber-6, M. Micallef-7, A. Cini-6, S. Bezzina-6.5, O.S. Chiemeka-6.5, R. Grech-6.5, F. Aboulezz-6.5 (82 J. Bajada), D. Bogdanovic-7, D. Mitev-6 (67 C. Campagnoli-6), O. Zongo-7.5 (81 D. Maia), O. Obiefule-7.

Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards Obiefule; Chiemeka; Aboulezz; Vukanic.
BOV Player of the match Obinna Obiefule (Mosta).