Mosta 4
St George's 1
St George's were dealt a severe blow to their promotion aspirations yesterday when they were beaten by Mosta who scored three goals in eight second-half minutes to seal the points.
The Saints had just cancelled Mosta's lead but then conceded too much space to their opponents who were quick to hit on counter-breaks.
Mosta, still with an outside chance for promotion, saw more of the ball in the initial stages and a Luke Stivala shot from the edge of the area was saved by Saints keeper Thomas Galea.
Stivala continued to torment the Saints rearguard with some dashing runs from the left flank and from one of his deliveries, Galea fumbled the ball which fell invitingly for Victor Osobu who blasted wide.
St George's responded on the half hour when Anthony Ewurun was blocked by goalkeeper Jonathan Debono following a good ball by Glenn Bonello.
A minute later Terrence Vella found space for Mosta but his centre found no takers.
Mosta forged ahead a minute from half-time when Lee Grima pounced on a loose ball after a Lyden Micallef corner to tap the ball home.
St George's started the second half better and drew level on 52 minutes when Brian Galea handled the ball inside his box and from the penalty Glenn Bonello sent the Mosta keeper the wrong way.
Joey Falzon's Saints took hold of the proceedings now and three minutes later it was Debono who kept Mosta in the game with two fine saves on Silvio Sciberras and Benoir Fenech.
An Anthony Bonello header from a Sciberras cross was again ably dealt with by Debono but then Mosta struck twice against the run of play.
On the hour, Osobu sped through before feeding Lyden Micallef who slid home from inside the box. Two minutes later it was Osobu again who released Micallef before the latter made it 3-1 with a firm shot.
On 68 minutes the match was over as a contest when Adrian Borg headed home a Mark Briggs corner after Galea misjudged a high ball in his box.
The remaining minutes of the match were simply a formality with Oliver Spiteri's Mosta administering their comfortable lead until the final whistle.
St George's: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, C. Grech (N. Caruana), E. Amaira, B. Fenech (J. Bugeja), J. Dalli, G. Mallia, A. Bonello, S. Sciberras, G. Bonello, A. Ewurun.
Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, B. Galea, L. Stivala, M. Briggs, J. Vella, L. Grima (C. Pace), L. Micallef (A. Cini), T. Vella, V. Osobu (J. Bajada).
Referee: Sammy Attard.
Man of the match: Mark Briggs (Mosta).