Akinbule double propels Mosta past Balzan

MOSTA              2           

Akinbule 16, 78

BALZAN             1           

Mijic 2

MOSTA

M. Jovicic-6, R. Briffa-6, W. Donkin-6 (67’ J. Nsumoh), C. Failla-5.5, T. Farrugia-6, I. Doric-6.5, M. Hetemaj-5.5, R. Morisco-6, Z. Brincat-5.5 (67’ G. Sciberras), S. Akinbule-6.5 (85’ L. Riascos), J. Ekani-6.

BALZAN

V. Vranes-5.5, A. Loof-5.5, S. Arab-6, M. Grima-5.5 (80’ S. Cipriott), M. Djuric-6 (80’ A. Andrejic), P. Fenech-6 (89’ P. Mota), A. Paixao-6, M. Johnson-5.5, M. Zlatkovic-6 (80’ G. Camilleri), M. Mijic-6.5, B. Kaljevic-6 (89’ N. Frendo).

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow Cards: I. Doric, T. Farrugia, P. Fenech, S. Akinbule.

BOV Player of the Match: Sunday Akinbule (Mosta).

Mosta registered their first win as they survived an early scare to turn defeat into victory, beating Balzan 2-1.

It was by far the best performance by Joe Grech’s side this season and although Balzan had their fair share of scoring opportunities, Mosta made the most of the chances they created to take home the three points.

The Blues went close after just one minute with a Clayton Failla header off a cross by Jonas Rodriguez Ekani from the right but goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes performed a good save. 

However, Balzan took the lead a minute later when off an assist by Alex da Paixao Alves from the left, Milos Mijic tapped the ball home.

Balzan were now in control and on 12 minutes, Milan Djuric concluded a good move with a shot from outside the area ending just wide and a minute later, Bojan Kaljevic’s backheel pass for Mijic saw the latter miss the target by a whisker.

Mosta levelled matters on 16 minutes. Ekani delivered a cross from the right and Sunday Akinbule went past Loof and Johnson to slot past the Balzan custodian.

Roderick Briffa was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a powerful drive on 22 minutes and on the half-hour, William Donkin’s angled shot scraped past the post.   Four minutes later, a powerful drive by Ekani ended just wide.

Mosta goalkeeper Marko Jovicic neutralised a Bojan Kalejvic effort eight minutes in the second half and was then prominent with a great save on a shot from outside the area by Milos Mijic on 61 minutes. Another Mijic effort on 75 minutes was saved in two attempts by the Mosta custodian.

Two minutes later, Mosta notched the winner. Clayton Failla sent Sunday Akinbule through and the latter anticipated goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes and placed the ball at the back of the net.