Brincat’s hat-trick propels Mosta to crushing win over Żebbuġ Rangers

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS 0

MOSTA 5

Okoh 21; Brincat 42, 76, 83; Ememe 70p,

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS

J. Azzopardi, H. Motta-6 (80 R. Vella), S. Bugeja-5, L. Almeida-5, Y. Tonna-4 (80 J, Sciberras), A. Mizzi-4, C. Lokoli Ngoy-5, R. Sanchez-5, A. Soto Maldonado-5.5 (80 G. Tanti), S. Miloskovic-5 (33 M. Chetcuti-5), G. Gesualdi-5 (59 J. Macedo).

MOSTA

I. Akpan-6, R. Briffa-6 (66 N. Agius), C. Ememe-6, D. Bonniċi-5 (46 J. Akrong-6), K. Yamazaki-6 (46 G. Eziefula-6), B. Diarra-6 (74 W. Legault), T. Farrugia-5 (46 J. Vassallo-6), M. Okoh-8, S. Kingue-6.5, Z. Brincat-7, R. Ekani-5.5

Referee Glen Tonna

Yellow card: Yamazaki, Gesualdi, Farrugia, Soto Maldonado, Diarra, Sciberras

Red card: Jamie Azzopardi (Ż) 30.

BOV player of the match: Michael Okoh (Mosta)

Zachary Brincat hit a brilliant hat-trick as Mosta kept the chase for the final European berth wide open by thrashing shell-shocked Żebbuġ Rangers 5-0.

Mosta showed plenty of early purpose in their bid to stay in the hunt for a European berth next season but Żebbuġ carved out the first clear-cut opening.

The Rangers should have taken the lead on 15 minutes when Charles Lokoli Ngoy squared the ball perfectly for Stanimir Miloskovic to blast the ball over.

Mosta’s response was to switch Christ Ememe to the left when he played in a dangerous cross which was met by Michael Okoh who timed his run perfectly to connect and hit the ball past Jamie Azzopardi.

Żebbuġ carried a threat, though, and Ini Apkan, the Mosta goalkeeper was relieved to see Miloskovic’s header finish just wide.

The match turned in Mosta’s favour when Żebbuġ goalkeeper Azzopardi was sent off after 31 minutes.

Okoh split the Żebbuġ defence and Azzopardi hesitated before rushing out towards Ememe and handled the ball outside the area with the result that he was shown a straight red card.

Three minutes from half-time, Zachary Brincat punished Żebbuġ further when he stroked home an inch-perfect cross from Okoh.

Żebbuġ began the second half brightly when Sanchez flicked the ball into the box and Henrique Motta head the ball goalwards, only to see Ekani Rodriguez, hooking it off the line.

But back came Mosta and Boubkaray Diarra’s flick sent Ememe racing clear but Chetcuti did enough into forcing him to shoot straight at him.

It was another Mosta substitute Nathan Aguis, on for Roderick Briffa, who almost provided the third goal with 21 minutes left when he received a ball from Eziefula. The youngster chested the ball down before hitting a rising shot which was tipped over the bar by Chetcuti.

On 70 minutes, Almeida fouled Okoh inside the area and Ememe sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

Żebbug left the door ajar for Mosta, in particular for Brincat as the striker had only a hat-trick in his sights and his radar did not let him down.

Six minutes later, he hit a swerving shot behind Chetcuti.

On 83 minutes, Brincat raced forward on another counter-attack before he laid the ball into the net.