Akinbule’s goal hands Mosta second successive victory

MOSTA 1

Akinbule 35

SANTA LUCIA 0

Mosta

I. Akpan-6, R. Briffa-7 (80 G. Sciberras), G. Acheampong-6 (80 R. Da Silva), C. Failla-6.5, J. Bezzina (4 Y. Loen-6), B. Diarra-6, T. Farrugia-6, D. Antwi-5.5 (64 W. Donkin-5.5), R. Morisco-6.5, S. Akinbule-6.5, R. Ekani-6

Santa Lucia

J. Haber-5, A. Prates-5, J. Pisani-6 (84 J. Carbone), N Pulis-5.5, V.Plut-5.5, A. da Silva Souza-4, D. Valpoort-5 (70 G. Conti), V. Filho-5, J, Zerafa-5 (54 K. Xuereb-5), D. Xuereb-5, L. Fonesca-5 (46 J. Tanti-5)

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Filho, Ekani, Pisani, Zerafa, Soares, Prates, Conti, Farrugia.

BOV player of the match: Roderick Briffa (Mosta).

A solitary goal from Sunday Akinbule earned Mosta their second consecutive victory. The Nigerian striker put Mosta ahead with a crisp finish after latching onto Dennis Antwi’s perfect pass.

It was a deserved win for the Blues, who enjoyed the better chances and dominated possession.

Mario Muscat was forced into his first substitution after only four minutes as Johann Bezzina succumbed to injury.

He was replaced by Youri Loen, who took over Bezzina’s roaming duties behind the attacking duo Akinbule and Dennis Antwi.

At the back, as Tyrone Farrugia and Rafael Morisco split to the edge of the box when Mosta looked to play the ball out confidently, Santa Lucia pushed their men forward with their three-pronged attack, made of Vito Plut, Davidy Valpoort and Alan, sitting on the edge of the box.

On 28 minutes, Akinbule showcased his marauding ability on the right, drawing a first save from the former Mosta goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Akinbule had proved a real handful, and he broke the deadlock after 35 minutes. He received the ball from Antwi, pushed forward and bent a shot beyond Haber and into the far corner.

Santa Lucia coach Giovanni Tedesco must have had some stern words for his team during the break because the Saints looked much more positive when they came out for the second half.

Yet, it was Mosta who could have killed off the match on 58 minutes but Akinbule twice failed to apply the coup de grace.

Roderick Briffa crossed a ball at the far post but the Nigerian striker unmarked blasted well over the crossbar. Antwi then picked out Akinbule who planted  a weak header straight at Haber.

Briffa was once again impressive in the heart of the Mosta midfield and a typical driving run almost brought the second goal but Haber rushed out of his lines to block substitute William Donkin.

Plut battled hard to try and cause trouble to the Mosta defence, but lacked support and Santa Lucia’s attacking efforts looked increasingly lightweight against the Blues’ solid defending.

Sta Lucia almost rescued a point at the death, when Nicholas Pulis was denied from scoring with a wicked curling free-kick that bounced off the crossbar.