Mosta, Sirens take a point each after balanced encounter

MOSTA              1           

Brincat 37

SIRENS               1           

Bento 12 pen

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6.5, P. Mensah-5.5 (46 B. Diarra), R. Briffa-6 (69 P. Tenebe), C. Ememe-6.5, T. Farrugia-6, G. Acheampong-6 (89 G. Sciberras), J. Vassallo-6, Z. Brincat-6 (63 J. Nsumoh), J. Ekani-6.5, T. Akiti-6 (89 D. Bonnici).

SIRENS

M. Grech-6.5, M. Muniz-6, K. Sano-6.5 (64 S. Sessegnon), R. Tachikawa-6.5, S. Cipriott (34 S. Arab-6), A. Borg-6, P. Bento-6.5, G. Fernandes-6, D. Jackson-6, D. Promise-6 (75 W. De Oliveira).

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Farrugia, Briffa, Arab, Borg.

BOV Player of the Match: Christ Ememe (Mosta).

Mosta and Sirens took a point each in a 1-1 draw following a balanced encounter at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

The final stalemate sees Mosta join Floriana on the seven-point mark. Sirens, on the other hand, continue to chase their first win with a third draw in five matches.

The two teams shared the exchanges throughout the 90 minutes with both sides creating their fair share of opportunities.

Sirens coach Winston Muscat made three changes to the team which lost to Hamrun, starting with Matthew Grech in goal rather than Andrea Cassar while Gabriel Fernandes Ventura and David Promise replacing Weder Soares and Ivan Kolev.

On the other hand, Patrick Mensah was preferred to Boubakary Diarra for Mosta.

The Blues had an excellent opportunity to take the lead after six minutes when Zachary Brincat, served on the left by Acheampong, squared for Tobi Akiti but the latter hesitated and was blocked by Sirens custodian Grech.

Five minutes later, Sirens were awarded a penalty after Tyrone Farrugia handled the ball following a Promise effort. From the spot, Paulo Vyctor Bento converted to put the St Paul’s Bay side ahead.

Sirens threatened once again with a Kei Sano effort from the edge of the area which scraped past the post on 22 minutes.

Mosta levelled matters on 37 minutes. Christ Ememe delivered a cross from the right and Zachary Brincat’s first attempt was blocked but off the rebound, the Mosta forward placed the ball into the net.   

Three minutes in the second half, Mosta went close with a Roderick Briffa effort from outside the area and on 50 minutes, Christ Ememe pounced on a through pass and advanced into the area but his conclusion was blocked by Grech.

Sirens replied with a shot from the right by Kei Sano which was partially saved by Akpan with Tyrone Farrugia clearing the ball into safety.

Mosta went close once again with an angled shot by Johnson Nsumoh, whose goal-bound effort was blocked by a defender.  

In the final stages, Sirens pushed hard in search of the winning goal.

Rei Tachikawa had a shot from the edge of the area which just missed the target on 78 minutes and five minutes later, an angled shot by Wellington was parried by the Mosta goalkeeper.

Three minutes from time, Wellington served Stephane Sessegnon whose rising shot was neutralised by Akpan.