BIRKIRKARA 1
Marcelinho 4’
MOSTA 2
Brincat 75’, Angan 81’
Mosta stunned Birkirkara as they scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to turn defeat into victory and claim a 2-1 win.
Birkirkara had taken an early lead and were clearly a better side during the first half but their failure to score more goals came back to haunt them as Mosta struck twice to take home the three points which practically ensure their Premier League status.
The Stripes, on the other hand, missed the opportunity to move fourth as they continue to share the sixth place with Balzan, two points behind Hamrun and Sliema who all have a game in hand. At this point, they will have to shift their focus on the FA Trophy as this would be the only realistic chance of securing a UEFA Europa League spot. Ironically in the quarter-finals, their opponents are Mosta.
The Stripes made their intentions clear right from the start, taking the lead on the 4th minute. Marcelo de Siquiera gained possession of the ball on the right and entered the area before beating Andreas Vella with a diagonal shot.
Mosta replied with a fine Gianluca Cuomo freekick frm the left ending just wide on 10 minutes but seven minutes later, Birkirkara threatened once again with a Matthew Guillaumier effort which hit the crossbar.
The Stripes maintained the pressure and Maurizio Vella, served by Jorginho from the right, had a low shot just missing the target. Three minutes from the end of the first half, Maurizio Vella served Matthew Guillaumier whose conclusion was blocked by a defender.
Mosta improved in the second half and on 52 minutes, Akeem Roach served Dexter Xuereb from the left but the latter’s effort, after controlling the ball inside the area, was blocked by a defender. On 65 minutes, Mosta went close with a great freekick by Rafael Morisco which ended just over the bar.
The Blues levelled matters on 75 minutes. Substitute Zachary Brincat received an assist on the left and pulled to a more central position before beating Andrew Hogg with a fine curved shot from outside the area.
This goal shocked the Stripes although they went close three minutes later when off a Clayton Failla freekick from the left, a good Danilo Chapoval header was neutralised in style by Andreas Vella.
However more was to come from Mosta as they managed to take the lead with nine minutes to go. Akeem Roach delivered a cross from from the right and Davy Angan N’Guessan slotted past Hogg from close range.
In added time, Hogg came to the rescue for Birkirkara as he turned into a corner a Duane Bonnici effort after the latter received an assist by Angan from the right
Matthew Guillaumier of Birkirkara was named BOV Player of the Match.