Unstoppable... Man-of-the-match Gilmar powers clear of Mosta’s Kurt Magro during yesterday’s hard-fought derby at the Hibernians Stadium. Photo: Paul Zammit CutajarUnstoppable... Man-of-the-match Gilmar powers clear of Mosta’s Kurt Magro during yesterday’s hard-fought derby at the Hibernians Stadium. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Mosta 1
Kaljevic 47;
Naxxar Lions 2
Gilmar 18; Gueye 71;

Naxxar Lions gave their fans an early Christmas treat when they produced a gutsy display to see off neighbouring rivals Mosta in a hard-fought derby.

It was a deserved victory for the Lions who looked the better side for most of the match.

Jesmond Zerafa’s men were a cut above their opponents in the first half and, after taking a deserved lead with a fine strike from man-of-the-match Gilmar, they produced enough chances to kill off their opponents but only had one goal to show for their efforts by half-time.

Mosta were still in it. A well-taken free-kick by Bojan Kaljevic sparked them into life and Mosta looked as though they could take control of proceedings.

But the Lions refused to buckle and Pape Gueye came off the bench to head home the winner that earned Naxxar their first victory over their rivals since returning to the Premier League at the end of season 2012/13.

Zerafa, the Naxxar coach, handed a recall to midfielder Pablo Doffo who was suspended for the 3-1 defeat to Birkirkara last week.

The Argentine was preferred to fellow countryman David Reano who was not included in the Lions’ 18-man squad.

Mosta had three first-team players missing as defender Tyrone Farrugia was serving a one-match ban while captain Manolito Micallef and striker Daniel Mariano Bueno were ruled out with injury.

Coach Peter Smith roped in Mark Brincat, Kurt Magro, Dyson Falzon and Kaljevic with the latter partnering Brazilian Matteus upfront.

The Lions adopted an attacking approach right from the outset.

On 13 minutes, Naxxar’s Terence Vella turned past his marker before hitting a rasping drive that forced Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg into a fine save.

Naxxar struck five minutes later.

Brincat brought down Gilmar on the edge of the area and the Brazilian picked himself up before letting fly a curling drive that flew into the top corner of the net to send the Lions fans into ruptures.

Mosta’s reaction arrived four minutes later when Nemanja Milovanovic sent a dipping cross towards Kaljevic who saw his header finish just wide.

But the Lions soon regained the initiative. On 28 minutes, Uchenna Emenike powered past Rodriguez Ekani before passing to Gilmar who volleyed over.

Six minutes later, the hard-working Gilmar was the provider when he picked out Vella in the area. The latter nodded the ball towards Andrew Scicluna who just failed to make contact with the ball from routine distance.

Ten minutes from the break, Naxxar protested for a penalty when Gilmar freed Vella just inside the area and the striker looked to have been felled by Ekani but referee Sandro Spiteri waved play on.

At the start of the second half, Smith brought on Sasa Jovanovic for Falzon as he looked to infuse more power into his team’s attacking play.

Mosta were off to a strong start after the interval, levelling inside the second minute.

The Blues were awarded a free-kick in a central position and Kaljevic produced a swerving shot that flew past the diving Julian Azzopardi.

Mosta were a transformed side now. On 50 minutes, Azzopardi had to charge out of his goal to block the goalbound Milovanovic.

Just past the hour, Zerafa withdrew the tiring Emenike for Gueye.

At this stage, the match entered a lull with both teams looking short of ideas and scoring chances few and far between.

On 67 minutes, Gueye profited from a moment of hesitation by Adrian Borg as the Senegalese dispossessed the Mosta defender but his effort was repelled by the onrushing Borg.

The Naxxar substitute was not to be denied on 71 minutes.

Gueye rose to connect with Gilmar’s corner and his downward header had the better of Borg.

Mosta here threw caution to the wind but Naxxar held on for a morale-boosting victory.

Mosta
O. Borg-5.5, E. Rodriguez-5 (84 Y. Lo), M. Brincat-5, A. Borg-4.5, D. Falzon-5 (46 S. Jovanovic-6), K. Magro-6, R. Grech-5 (90 K. Zammit), Matteus-6, N. Milovanovic-6, K. Pulo-5, B. Kaljevic-6.5.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6.5, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-7, T. Vella-7 (83 D. Fenech) D. Falzon-6 (86 V. Bellia), Gilmar-7.5, R. Cassar-6, P. Doffo-6.5, A. Buhagiar-6, U. Emenike-6 (61 P. Gueye-7), U. Edafe-6.5.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Brincat; Edafe; Dyson Falzon; Daren Falzon; Emenike; A. Borg; Doffo; Magro; R. Grech; Cassar.

BOV player of the match: Gilmar (Naxxar Lions).

Attendance: 842.

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