Substitute Okoh at the double as Mosta see off Pietá Hotspurs

MOSTA 4

Failla 52 pen.

Okoh 84, 90

Legault 90+

PIETÁ HOTSPURS 0

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6.5, R. Briffa-5 (88 W. Legault), C. Ememe-6 (84 M. Okoh), C. Failla-6, K. Yamazaki-6.5 (59 L. Tenebe-6), B. Diarra-7, J. Akrong-6, J. Vassallo-6, Z. Brincat-5.5 (83 D. Bonnici), R. Ekani-6, F. Dore-6 (88 N. Agius)

PIETÁ HOTSPURS

R. Cini-5, C. Bangura-4, T. Abraham-6, D. Zerafa-6, J. Ghio-5 (61 T. Yamaguchi-6), T. Agius-6 (79 S. Okoh), A. Hovhannisyan-6, K. Leonardi-5 (79 D. Schembri Wismayer), M. Rodrigues-6, Z. Leonardi-5, G. Ogungbe-5.

Referee:  Ezekiel Barbara

Yellow card : Agius, Zerafa, Bangura, Schembri Wismayer.

BOV player of the match: Clayton Failla (Mosta).

Substitute Michael Chidera Okoh struck twice in the second half as Mosta gave a huge boost to their European aspirations with an emphatic 4-0 win over strugglers Pietá Hotspurs.

The Nigerian striker was introduced six minutes from time and went on to seal the win for his side.

For Pietá losing by a four-goal margin can only be deemed as a disappointing result as the final scoreline was a touch too harsh on Rodney Bugeja’s team.

Mosta dominated but lacked the cutting edge to open up a resolute Pietá defence, well marshalled by Daniel Zerafa.

Pietá threatened to draw first blood when Temitope Abraham was presented with a golden opportunity when he attempted to lob the Mosta goalkeeper, but Ini Akpan tipped his effort over.

Christ Ememe – renowned for his powerful runs – was heavily involved in Mosta’s attacking forays.

Pietá failed to clear their lines from Ferebory Dore’s header but Ememe saw his long-range shot from the rebound go wide.

It took Mosta 44 minutes to muster their first serious shot on target, with Ememe surging forward before firing straight at Reeves Cini.

Clayton Failla galloped down the left and delivered a cross which Dore failed to hit the target from close-range.

Hotspurs set the early pace in the second half when Davi Miranda Rodrigues hit an angled shot which was pushed around the post by Akpan.

Mosta had created precious little until the 52nd minute when Clinton Bangura struggled to contain Kaishu Yamazaki and hauled him down for a clear penalty. From the spot, Failla had no problem firing home the penalty.

Pietá coach Bugeja brought on Takuma Yamaguchi for Jake Ghio and the move looked to have paid off as the Japanese striker found himself in good scoring positions at least on three occasions.

Only a fine save from Akpan on 63 minutes denied Yamaguchi when Armen Hovhannisyan left the striker with a clear sight of goal.

Ten minutes from time, Pietá were livid when Akpan rushed out of his lines to block Yamaguchi with the Mosta custodian possibly getting a touch to the ball outside the box but their protests were waved away by referee Ezekiel Barbara.

Mosta moved the ball quickly upfront and Dore hit a powerful shot which crashed against the post.

Mario Muscat then introduced Okoh and what an impact he made.

He immediately found the perfect timing to get on the end of a cross from Linus Tenebe and six minutes later, he lashed home after running onto a long ball.

Not to be upstaged, substitute William Legault struck home Mosta’s fourth with virtually his first touch of the ball.