ĦAMRUN 1 – MOSTA 1

A dour dog fight between two relegation candidates finished even at
the Hibernians Stadium, a result which does more for the Spartans’
survival hopes than it for Mosta’s similar aspirations.

The Spartans fashioned the first glimmer of chance after just two
minutes with Gianluca Calabretta overlapping down the right flank and
sending over a cross that the unmarked Kevin Sammut fired into the
side-netting from an excellent position.

And Sammut maintained the pressure three minutes later with a
stinging-shot that was held by the Mosta goalkeeper Jonathan Debono.

Dyson Falzon, lifted the Mosta supporters in the 13th minute when the
former Ħamrun midfielder took flight on a solo run down the left flank
before Zerafa’s slide caused the ball to ricochet off in the direction
of Jonathan Bajada but the latter’s low shot came to nothing.

Just over the half an hour mark, Jonathan Bajada invented a
spectacular bicycle-kick assist for Obinna Obiefule who escaped the
attentions of Ronnie Hartvig  but found Omar Borg – still wearing a
protective mask – standing boldly in goal to divert his effort for a
corner.

In the 40th minute, Martin advanced down the right flank to set-up
Bajada whose first-timer was blocked by Borg.

Mosta continued to enjoy spells of pressure after the break but the
Spartans defied them valiantly with some determined blocks and
challenges. In one particular instance, Bajada needed treated for a
bleeding nose following a collision with an opponent but he was able
to play on and open the score after 62 minutes.

Martin drove again unmolested down the right flank with Bajada darting
behind in the middle. Although the midfielder’s nose may have been
covered in plasters, he was able to apply a cool finish on the
defence-splitting through ball from Martin.

Moments later, Obiefule had a strike ruled out for offside but
Ħamrun’s riposte was instant and snatched the equaliser four minutes
later when Ribeiro Anderson who peeled off Federico Tisbi to nip in
between the defender and Debono to tap the ball home.

With ten minutes remaining, the Brazilian left three Mosta defenders
in his wake before Yannick Ossok put in a crunching tackle to
dispossess Ribeiro but the ball fell kindly to Spiteri who shot
straight into the hands of Debono.