MOSTA-3, FLORIANA-1
Mosta extended their winning run to four games after beating Floriana 3-1 in today's second match at the National Stadium.
Nigerian striker Obinna Obiefule hit a brace to lead Mosta to third place, level on 12 points with Birkirkara, two ahead of Sliema Wanderers. Birkirkara have a game in hand.
Floriana created the first chance of the game when Aman Verma produced an inviting cross from the right but Owen Bugeja headed wide at the far post.
Mosta took the lead from their first attack on 10 minutes. Manolito Micallef supplied a through-ball to Obinna Obiefule who ran into the box and hit past Jonathan Debono.
Three minutes later, Mosta made it 2-0, Ferdinando Apap jumping high to head the ball into the net from Danail Mitev's corner.
The Blues remained on top, Ousseni Zongo shooting over the bar from another fine Mitev cross.
Floriana were dangerous with an overhead kick by Ryan Darmanin which was saved by Justin Haber, the Mosta goalkeeper.
With 11 minutes of the first half remaining, Arman Verma's cross dropped in the path ofg Carl Tremarco but his volley was easily blocked by Haber.
Floriana threatened again but Trevor Cilia's angled effort was cleared off the line by Luke Dimech. The Greens ended the first half as the better side.
Haber beat away a dangerous effort from Sunday Wasiu and, at the other end, Jonathan Debono, the Floriana goalkeeper, pulled off a good save to keep out Firas Aboulezz's rising effort from Mitev's cross.
Six minutes into the second half, Tremarco fired wide after receiving Duncan Pisani's pull-back. The English midfielder had another good chance when released by Wasiu but his angled effort was off target.
The hitherto subdued Mosta had an Obiefule shot going wide.
Floriana then missed a great opportunity to reopen the issue when Wasiu, sent clear by Cilia, blasted over with only Haber to beat.
The Greens were made to pay for this miss as, midway into the second half, Mosta won a penalty after Debono tripped the advancing Zongo. To make matters worse for the Greens, Kane Farrugia was dismissed for use of abusive language and Obiefule converted the penalty to all but seal Mosta's win.
Bryan Agius, the Mosta captain, denied Floriana a consolation goal when clearing Verma's goalbound header from Cilia's corner.
Late on, Haber blocked Wasiu's grounder.
Mitev, the Mosta winger, was named BOV player of the match.