MOSTA 1

Brincat 6

GŻIRA UNITED 1

Garba 90

After pulling an upset win over Birkirkara, Mosta came close to repeat the same feat but a late Haruna Garba came to Gżira United's rescue to grind out a point at the National Stadium, on Saturday.

Mosta could not have asked for a better start when they forged ahead inside the first six minutes. Massimo Sammartino whipped in a cross from the right-hand side that was deflected by Rodolfo Soares into the path of Zachary Brincat who headed home from close-in. 

The goal came as a cold shower for Gżira who could not stage an immediate reaction.

Their first noteworthy action of the Maroons came on 17 minutes when Clifford Gatt Baldacchino tried his luck from long-range only to be denied by inches. 

Mosta squandered the opportunity to double the score when after a well-engineered break, Duane Bonnici's shot ended straight into Anthony Curmi’s hands.

Moments later, Gżira missed a flurry of chances in an instant as they were looking to restore parity.

First, Garba dribbled past Andreas Vella but surprisingly hit the woodwork from point-blank range. From the rebound, Nikolai Muscat curled the ball from outside the box but the woodwork once again denied the Maroons before Zack Scerri tried his luck but the ball finished wide. 

Lady Luck was clearly not favouring Gżira as they hit a fourth crossbar, this time 20 minutes from time when substitute Andrew Cohen let fly a fantastic shot from the edge of the area but it was in vain. 

Nonetheless, the Maroons found the leveller in the closing stages through Garba who after receiving from Nikolai Muscat, rounded past two markers and sent the ball past Vella. 

Rafael, of Mosta, was named BOV Player of the Match.