Watch: Mosta stun Marsaxlokk to reach FA Trophy Last 16

Marsaxlokk became the biggest scalp of Saturday’s Meridianbet FA Trophy Last 32 matches after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mosta.

The Southerners, who were coming from a disappointing 6-1 defeat to Ħamrun Spartans in the Premier League, were again punished for their defensive shortcomings by a well-drilled Mosta side who cruised into the next round.

Marsaxlokk started brightly with Jake Ghio coming close with a firm drive that finished just over.

But on seven minutes, Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Marko Drobnjak regaled the opener to Mosta as the Montenegrin failed to control a backpass and was dispossessed by Mosta’s Joshua Agyemang and had to haul down the Nigerian striker.

From the spot, Clayton Failla made no mistake to put Mosta ahead.

On 22 minutes, Marsaxlokk should have pulled level when Enmy Peba Beltre sprinted in space and sent a low cross across the face of goal but found no takers.

Four minutes later, Akpan came to Mosta’s rescue when the Blues failed to clear the ball from a corner and Pena Beltre was denied by the goalkeeper from close in.

Akpan again distinguished himself when turning to a corner Muscat’s inswinger.

Eight minutes from half-time, Marsaxlokk charged forward in a quick transition with the ball fed to the sprinting Yuri Messias who was denied by Akpan.

Two minutes from the break, Messias was unlucky to see his shot coming off the upright.

Marsaxlokk kept their foot on the accelerator and on 54 minutes Akpan had to dive full stretch to keep out Nikolai Muscat’s shot.

But Marsaxlokk’s hopes of a comeback were ended on 58 minutes when Duvan Torres floored Zachary Brincat inside the area and from the spot Failla made no mistake to double Mosta’s lead.

Mosta wrapped up the win on 72 minutes when Giancarlo Goncalves broke free and hit a rasping drive that gave no chance to substitute goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Akpan preserved his team’s clean sheet with a fine one-handed save on Quitongo’s effort from close distance.

MARSAXLOKK 0

MOSTA            3

Failla 6 pen, 59 pen.

Goncalves 72

MARSAXLOKK

M. Drobnjak (46 M. Calleja Cremona), K. Micallef (46 D. Torres), N. Muscat, J. Ghio (77 J. Walker), Y. Messias, M. Adamec, J. Quitongo, E. Lopez, A. De Aguiar, E. Pena Beltre, L. Aguirre.

MOSTA

U. Akpan, P. Afriyie, S. Cachia, L. Coulibaly (62 J. Victor), G. Goncalves, C. Failla, N. Agius, J. Agyemang (77 A. Babatola), Joao Victor, J. Vassallo (84 B. Farrugia), Z. Brincat (64 S. Okereke).

Referee Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Drobnjak, Afriyie, Coulibaly, Walker, Vassallo, Aguirre.