ZEBBUG RANGERS 0

MOSTA 2

Kaljevic 56 pen.; 73

Bojan Kaljevic struck twice in the second half to send Mosta at the top of the table with Birkirkara.

Mosta enjoyed more possession early on, without extending the Zebbug defence. However, on 24 minutes, having cleared a Mosta corner, Zebbug were quick to get the ball to Mauricio Britto, he sped through before directing forward pass to Matthew Bartolo who raced clear only to see Adrian Borg was on hand to hook the ball off the line.

With three minutes from half-time, James Brincat teed up Daniel Mariano Bueno who mustered a fierce drive but Farrugia saved in two attempts. On the other side, Mathias Muchiardi sent in a teasing cross-shot that flew across the face of goal.

Barely had the second half got underway when Kurt Zammit slipped the ball to Bueno who dragged in a menacing cross which just eluded Kaljevic. Zebbug let out a sigh of relief but their reprieve was temporary. In the 56th minute, Manolito Micallef’s surge into the box was halted by the sliding Clifford Gauci, prompting referee Sandro Spiteri to order a penalty. From the ensuing spot-kick, Kaljevic sent Farrugia the wrong way.

Three minutes later, Spiteri blew his whistle and pointed to the spot again after ruling that Gauci had pushed Micallef in the box. Kaljevic assumed responsibility for the penalty again but this time his low drive crashed against the foot of the post. The game remained lively and the Montenegrin striker added to Zebbug’s woes when scoring his second goal in the 73th minute. Micallef was the provider as his corner kick soared towards Kaljevic who headed home.

Six minutes from time, it was Zebbug’s turn to be awarded a penalty after substitute Kurt Zammit was adjudged to have fouled Britto in the box. The Brazilian striker picked himself up to take the penalty but his angled shot was brilliantly touched away by Omar Borg.