MOSTA 2 TARXIEN RAINBOWS 1

Bojan Kaljevic struck a second-half winner to end Mosta’s five-game losing streak against Tarxien to hand caretaker coach Peter Smith a winning debut.

Mosta’s resolve to take maximum points was in abundant evidence in the opening exchanges and they got off to the best possible start when Manolito Micallef scored in the 12th minute. Bojan Kaljevic was the architect when sending in a cross from the right flank towards the far post where the unmarked Rodriguez Ekani squared for Micallef who prodded the ball home.

In the 23rd minute, Carlos Hevia unleashed a strong, curling free-kick but Omar Borg the Mosta custodian was well-place to beat the ball away.

Shortly afterwards, Bueno got behind the slow-moving Tarxien defence following a powerful incursion by Kaljevic but the Brazilian’s effort from inside the penalty area was touched away by the Tarxien custodian who thus kept his side in the game.

At the other end, Wesley squandered a promising attack for Tarxien after making progress down the right, he shot straight at Borg.

The introduction of Cleber, an attacking midfielder to provide support for Wesley increased Tarxien’s attacking threat. Cleber made an instant impact on the match as first he drove wide after receiving from Jorge. In the 52nd minute Borg kept his goal intact when blocking Wesley’s goalbound effort.

Galvanised by this new lease of life, Tarxien pushed on and equalised a minute later. Wesley slipped a perfect through ball to Cleber who arrowed his rising shot into the top corner.

Past the hour mark, Cleber picked out Wesley as Mosta left themselves exposed at the back. Luckily for Borg, his low drive crashed by the foot of the post.

But at the other end Mosta regained their lead in their first menacing attack. A low cross from the left by Micallef caught Alex Cini and Alessandro Lopes off guard much to the delight of Kaljevic who pounced on the ball to drill home.

A sense of anti-climax coursed through the Tarxien crowd but Cleber refused to throw in the towel. Soon after restart, the ball was transferred quickly upfield to the Brazilian whose swerving shot from edge of the box drew a fine save from Borg.

In time added on, Kaljevic could have scored his side’s third goal as he caught Tarxien on the counter-attack following another desperate raid by the Rainbows to open up Mosta.

 

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