Birkirkara see off Mosta to get back to winning ways

BIRKIRKARA 2

Dimech 52, Zammit 90

MOSTA 0

BIRKIRKARA

G. Volpe, M. Morello, A. Sandona, S. Dimech, P. Mbong (89 A. Zammit), K. Zammit, A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, A. Coppola, Maicon (45 J. Siafa), Y. Gnamien (76 N. Micallef).

MOSTA

D. Akpan Udoh, P. Afriyie, S. Cachia, C. Failla (72 S. Kone), G. Sciberras (84 S. Chiemezie), N. Agius (72 G. Goncalves), J. Agyemang, S. Okereke, J. Teixeira, J. Vassallo, Z. Brincat.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.

Yellow card: Mbong.

Birkirkara’s ended a miserable run of two consecutive defeats as goals from Shaun Dimech and substitute Andrea Zammit gave them the points against Mosta.

The Stripes had struggled in recent weeks, conceding five and scoring just once in the last two matches, but they battled hard for a deserved victory.

After a goalless first half, Birkirakra struck after 52 minutes when Dimech’s rising shot gave David Akpan Udoh no chance. It was his first goal for the club and broke their 197 minutes’ goal drought.

Then it was substitute Zammit who sealed the points late on, with his second goal of the season.

Mosta had their moments but failed to capitalise, with Zachary Brincat spurning an inviting chance in the opening period.

Kurt Zammit was back in the Birkirkara defence alongside Agustin Sandona as  Stefano De Angelis fielded an attack-minded formation with Yikpe Gnamien and Maicon leading the line and Paul Mbong, Alexander Satariano and Shaun Dimech pushing behind the striking duo.

Clayton Failla for Larissa Coulibaly was the only change made by Mosta coach Mario Muscat.

In a subdued atmosphere at the National Stadium, both sides struggled to create anything to spark their supporters into life during the first half.

It was Mosta who engineered the first chance of the half after 29 minutes, Nathan Agius finding an unmarked Zachary Brincat at the far left only to see the striker shooting his effort wide.

Four minutes later, Maicon sent over a right-wing cross which Manuel Morello hit wide as David Akpan Udoh scrambled across his goal-line.

Maicon’s contribution was limited to a free-kick which Akpan Udoh did well to save.

At half-time, Maicon was substituted by Juan Siafa.

The Stripes took the lead on 52 minutes with a stunning goal. Leandro Lacunza played a neat one-two with Mbong to set up Dimech as the latter surged goalwards before letting fly a thunderous strike which arched over Akpan.

Mosta were opened up down their right flank where Gnamien galloped into open space to deliver an inviting cross for Lacunza who hit a rising shot inches wide.

The Mosta defence continued to creak every time it was leaned on, and when Satariano found himself with a clear sight of goal on 82 minutes, only to see his swerving shot hit the crossbar.

Birkirkara were good value for their lead as they continued to press forward. Andrea Zammit was getting little chance to shine in this Birkirkara side.

But he had been on the pitch for barely two minutes, after replacing Mbong, he took the ball into the space down the Birkirkara right. He sped clear of the Mosta back line, outsmarted two defenders before hitting a low drive behind Akpan.