Naxxar Lions snatch late derby win

NAXXAR LIONS 2-1 MOSTA
Takuma Yamaguchi 33, Neil Pace Cocks 81 (N); Clayton Failla 76 pen. (M).

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.

Yellow cards: Pedro Vitor, Thomas, Cassar, Failla, Barbosa, Micallef.  

Naxxar Lions earned their first three points thanks to a 2-1 win over neighbours Mosta.

After losing to Hibernians in their first outing, Naxxar were determined not to remain empty-handed. They created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes, also hitting the woodwork twice.

For Mosta, this was the second defeat in as many matches. They reacted well after conceding the first goal, notching the equaliser but the second goal killed their hopes.

Mosta had three changes from the team which lost to Sliema Wanderers as Sean Mintoff deputised for the suspended David Akpan while Brazilian duo Giancarlo Goncalves and Matheus Cambuci were handed their debut. For Naxxar, Edson Cerqueira was preferred to Yasukaze Ito.

Naxxar went close to taking the lead on sevents minutes but Takuma Yamaguchi was unlucky hit the upright. Mosta replied with a Cambuci effort from outside the area which ended just over the bar on 12 minutes. 

A shot by Giancarlo Goncalves ended just wide a minute later.

The Lions managed to take the lead on 33 minutes. Matheus Taumaturgo released Caxambu on the left and off the latter’s assist, Takuma Yamaguchi placed the ball at the back of the net.

Mosta improved in the second half and on 49 minutes, Richard Luca tried his luck with a curling shot from the left which ended just wide but on 54 minutes, Yamaguchi missed a good opportunity, hitting sky high off an assist by Caxambu from the left.

Richard Luca concluded a good move with a shot which was turned into a corner a minute later. 

On the hour mark, Shedrack had a shot from outside the area parried by Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono.

The Blues levelled matters on 76 minutes. Caxambu handled the ball off Clayton Failla’s cross from the right, referee Slobodan Petrovic ordered a penalty and Failla duly converted from the penalty spot.

Goalkeeper Mintoff came to the rescue for the Blues turning into a corner a great freekick by Caxambu on 79 minutes.

However, two minutes later, Naxxar regain the lead. Caxambu’s cross from the left was partially saved by Mintoff and Neil Pace Cocks placed the ball at the back of the net.

The Lions went close to increasing the lead on 86 minutes but Degran Jackson concluded a good move with a shot from inside the area which hit the crossbar.