Mosta 1
Farrugia 89;
Naxxar Lions 2
Vella 69; Gilmar 86;

Naxxar’s Gilmar controls the ball ahead of Kyle Frendo. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

It was a case of double delight for the ecstatic Naxxar Lions players and fans last night.

Needing a point from their final-day derby against Mosta to hold on to their top-flight status, the Lions roared loud as two second-half goals earned them a merited 2-1 victory that jeopardised their bitter rivals’ chances of staying in the elite division.

With Tarxien and Qormi attaining safety after winning their ‘relegation deciders’ yesterday, the embattled Mosta are now facing up to the grim prospect of a tense decider against Division One side Gżira next Friday.

Not that Mosta deserved any better yesterday as, for long stretches, they were outplayed by Naxxar , especially in the first half when only the heroics of goalkeeper Omar Borg kept the Blues’ afloat.

But, just when it looked as though Mosta were hitting their stride, the Lions struck two goals to all but secure victory in a dramatic and cagey finale that overwhelmed some of the fans, especially those of the losing side as some of them were involved in scuffles with the police.

The trouble erupted after a young Mosta fan, escaping the attentions of the police officers, jumped over the perimeter wall and headed towards the section housing the opposing supporters.

Embarrassingly for the security personnel, the culprit climbed over the fence in front of the Naxxar fans, taking off his shirt before being apprehended by the police.

Naxxar had been the more cohesive side throughout with Nigerian midfielder Albert Bruce, back from suspension, forming a shield in front of Naxxar’s four-man backline with captain Pablo Doffo and David Fenech in support.

Also making a start for the Lions was forward Terence Vella who was rewarded for his lively cameo in the 4-3 win over Sliema.

Tyrone Farrugia was back to galvanise the Mosta defence. With the Blues needing a win to lay their relegation ghost to rest, coach Peter Smith deployed Udo Fortune and Mickael Dawood upfront with Haruna Babangida operating in the hole.

It was Naxxar who made the stronger start. Only three minutes had passed when Gilmar’s cross, from a right-wing corner, was met by Angus Buhagiar but the right-back’s close-range flick was deflected wide. Gilmar again took the corner which was only half-cleared by the Mosta defence with the ball falling kindly to Jorge whose sweetly-struck effort from the edge of the area came off the far post.

Naxxar continued to produce the brighter stuff. On 14 minutes, Doffo eased past his marker to create space for a shot but his effort was touched away by Borg.

At the other end, Kyle Frendo fired over from the distance before Naxxar forced a series of corners.

From the first, Gilmar’s cross was headed goalwards by Ibok Edet but Rodriguez Ekani was on hand to snuff out the danger.

The two teams’ attacking mindset made for an entertaining opening. Mosta would have seized the lead midway into the first half but for a smart save from Julian Azzopardi who dashed off his line to repel Fortune’s close-range strike.

Mosta’s front duo were also using their mobility to unsettle the Naxxar rearguard. Michael Dawood was wide from outside the box while Borg, the Mosta goalkeeper, had to stretch backwards to push away Ryan Gilmour Cassar’s cross, conceding another corner.

The veteran shot-stopper was prominent again when pawing away Jorge’s grounder as Naxxar retained an edge.

Four minutes from half-time, Borg again came to his team’s rescue as he produced a splendid save to beat away Doffo’s screamer.

Borg was waging a one-man mission to deny the Lions as, on the cusp of half-time, he was again alert to block Gilmar’s thunderbolt.

A powerful run by Nicoise, whose final shot was stopped by Azzopardi, hinted at a brisker approach from Mosta in the second half.

After a quiet spell, Naxxar struck. Gilmar’s teasing cross from a free-kick was met by Vella whose glancing header from inside the area had the better of Borg to the evident joy of the Lions faithful.

Mosta rallied. Fortune’s half-volley was high and wide but, with 17 minutes left, the Nigerian swept past Azzopardi and deposited the ball home only for his effort to be ruled out for a foul outside the Naxxar box.

This sudden onset of drama enlivened the atmosphere as the two sets of fans exchanged taunts.

Naxxar refused to be distracted. After Buhagiar drove high from an excellent position, Naxxar sealed it four minutes from time.

They broke on the counter, Jorge gunning forward before releasing Gilmar whose powerful drive sent the net bulging.

Mosta now went for broke, throwing more men forward, including Farrugia who revived their hopes when his backheader, from Kyle Frendo’s cross, looped over Azzopardi.

Mosta
O. Borg-7.5, T. Farrugia-6.5, M. Brincat-5.5, D. Falzon-7, U. Fortune-6 (77 K. Pulo), A. Borg-5, R. Grech-5, H. Babangida-4, M. Nicoise-6.5 (89 J. Brincat), R. Ekani-5.5, K. Frendo-5.5.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-5.5, T. Vella-6.5 (84 D. Falzon), Gilmar-7.5, R.G. Cassar-6.5, P. Doffo-7, D. Fenech-6.5, A. Buhagiar-6.5, Jorge-6.5 (88 F. Temile), A. Bruce-7.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Fenech; Brincat; Falzon; Babangida; Frendo; Grech.

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

Attendance: 886.