Mosta brush aside ten-man Pieta Hotspurs

PIETÀ HOTSPURS      1           

Okoh 63

MOSTA               4           

Ememe 29; Brincat 61

Failla 67 pen, Akrong 83

PIETÀ HOTSPURS

R. Cini-5.5, C. Bangura, S. Mizzi-5.5 (79 K. Briffa), I. Yasukaze (19 S. Okoh-6), J. Ghio-6 (79 A. Schembri Wismayer), T. Agius-6 (79 S. Camara), Z. Leonardi-5.5, G. Ogungbe-5.5, A. Belibi-6, K. Leonardi-5.5 (67 G. Xuereb), T. Yamaguchi-6.5.

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6, R. Briffa-6.5 (70 P. Tenebe), C. Ememe-7, C. Failla-6, B. Diarra-6 (70 P. Mensah), T. Farrugia-6 (54 J. Akrong), G. Acheampong-6.5, J. Vassallo-6.5, Z. Brincat-6.5 (70 N. Agius), J. Ekani-6, T. Akiti-5.5 (46 J. Nsumoh-6).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Yellow cards: Ghio, Diarra, Brincat, Farrugia, Akiti, Ogungbe, Akrong.

Red Cards: Bangura (P) 45.

BOV Player of the match: Christ Evo Ememe (Mosta)

Mosta returned to winning ways as they defeated ten-man Pietà Hotspurs 4-1.

The Blues, therefore, move to a more comfortable mid-table position as they now lie on the six-point mark.

The Hotspurs on the other hand, continue to chase their first points as they suffered their fourth defeat in as many matches.

Both coaches made three changes from their last game. Joseph Grech opted to start with Jake Vassallo, Roderick Briffa and Zachary Brincat for Mosta while Pietà coach Rodney Bugeja named Jake Ghio, Terence Agius and Kian Leonardi in the starting XI.

Mosta went close after just seven minutes when from a Clayton Failla free-kick, Zachary Brincat’s header was pushed over by goalkeeper Reeves Cini.

But on 29 minutes, Mosta were not to be denied.

Roderick Briffa delivered a cross from the left and Christ Ememe headed home from close range.

Takuma Yamaguchi tried his luck for the Hotspurs with a freekick which was parried by Akpan on 31 minutes.

Five minutes later, Brincat released Ememe on the left and served Briffa who was unlucky to hit the crossbar.

Just before the end of the first half, Pietà were reduced to ten men after Clinton Bangura was sent off for a rough tackle on Briffa.

The dismissal obviously made the situation more difficult for the Hotspurs and although they had an Ange Belibi effort turned into a corner by Akpan two minutes in the second half, Mosta soon threatened once again with a fine Geoffrey Acheampong effort which hit the crossbar and the upright before being cleared into safety on 50 minutes.

Yamaguchi also hit the woodwork for Pietà with a well-taken freekick on 58 minutes.

However, three minutes later, Mosta doubled the score. Zachary Brincat managed to beat Cini with a great shot from outside the area.

Two minutes later, Pietà reduced the gap courtesy of a Samuel Okoh strike, deflected by Rodrigues, past Akpan.

But Mosta regained a two-goal lead on 67 minutes. Ganiu Ogungbe floored Johnson Nsumoh inside the area, referee Philip Farrugia ordered a penalty and Failla duly converted.

Seven minutes from time, the Blues extended the lead further with a Jacob Akrong effort from the right.