MOSTA-3, MELITA-1

Three first-half goals propelled Mosta past Melita and into the Championship Pool as the Blues have now opened a seven-point lead over seventh-placed Qormi with the latter having only two games left before the end of the first phase.

Needing a win to seal their mission, Mosta stormed into Melita from the start and made sure of the points by half-time. The dismissal of Andrew Carauana Scicluna at the end of the first half was another hammer blow for Melita but, ironially, the Amateurs showed better fighting spirit and played better with 10 men.

After Mano Micallef missed a great chance to put Mosta ahead when he failed to get enough power behind his shot, the Blues broke the deadlock on 28 minutes.

Kurt Magro's measured pass from the right sailed towards debutant Chikwado Bruno Mbonu who beat Gabilondo Gulleirmo Garcia with a first-time shot.

Mosta increased their lead eight minutes from half-time thanks to Bulgarian Danail Mitev who scored with a fine swerving effort. Four minutes later, Mosta all but sealed the points when Micallef raced into the box from the left before hitting past Garcia.

Three goals behind, Melita suffered another setback on the stroke of half-time when Caruana Scicluna was shown a straight red card for swearing.

Five minutes into the second half, Fabio Vignaroli suppled in a fine cross from a corner and Ferdinando Apap headed just over from close range.

Mbonu then spurned a great chance to notch his second as the Nigerian twisted his way into the box only to blast high with only Garcia to beat.

Midway into the second half, Melita pulled one back through Ivan Tufegdzic who headed home from Marco Calleja's corner.

Mbonu was voted BOV player of the match.

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