Watch: Mosta condemn Ħamrun Spartans to second successive defeat

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS   1

Menacho 68

MOSTA            2

Goncalves 16

Chiemezie 79

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS  

H. Bonello, M. Ellul (60 R. Camenzuli), S. Borg (90 Mayron), J. Mbong (46 L. Montebello), R. Prsa, J. Cadenovic (80 Eder), R. Mihana, E. Marcelina, C. Menacho, R. Lopes Silva.

MOSTA

J. Ngoubi Demba, P. Afriyie, S. Cachia, J. Arthur, J. Chukwuemeka (78 M. Bolanos), S. Kone (67 J. Agyemang), G. Goncalves, C. Failla, G. Sciberras (46 N. Agius), S. Chiemezie, J. De Souza Teixeira.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara.

Yellow card Lopes Silva.

Missed penalty: Failla (M) 45.

Ħamrun Spartans suffered another blow in their attempt to defend their title as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Mosta.

While credit should go to Mosta for a very disciplined defensive performance as well as great sharpness in front of goal as they made the most of the chances that came their way as they moved up just one point behind the same Spartans.

On the other hand, the Spartans will rue the countless scoring chances which they missed throughout as well and more of a concern are the number of defensive errors which cost them dearly as they slipped to four points adrift of leaders Floriana.

Ħamrun dominated proceedings for much of the opening 15 minutes and came close to an opener when Joseph Mbong’s cross was met by Raphael Lopes Silva but his dipping header was turned to a corner by goalkeeper Ngoubi Demba.

Instead it was Mosta who took the lead on 16 minutes following a poor defensive play from Joseph Mbong.

The Malta international made a hash of his attempt to pass the ball back to Bonello and Goncalo Goncalves intercepted his pass and planted the ball past the Ħamrun goalkeeper.

Mosta were unlucky not to take the lead in quick succession on 19 minutes.

First it was Souleymane Kone who connected to Failla’s cross and his header was somehow kept out by Bonello.

From the resulting corner kick it was Stephen Chiemezie who almost made it 2-0 when his overhead shot hit the bar and bounced on the goalline before Bonello collected.

Two minutes later, Mbong missed a glorious chance to amend his error when he was picked inside the area by Cesar Menacho but he incredibly fired over in front of a gaping goal.

 Ħamrun were unlucky on 37 minutes when Lopes Silva latched onto Mattias Ellul’s cross with the ball hitting the upright and rolling along the goal line. The Brazilian took the rebound but was denied by Ngoubi Demba.

Mosta should have doubled their lead when Ellul handled the ball in an attempt to clear Failla corner kick. But from the spot, Failla saw his shot brilliantly saved by Bonello to keep alive the Spartans’ hopes of a comeback.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Steve Borg connected to Cadenovic’s corner kick but his header was cleared off the line by Failla.

Ħamrun’s persistence was rewarded on 67 minutes when Lopes Silva headed the ball into the path of Menacho and the Bolivian forward made no mistake from close in.

Seven minutes later, Menacho almost struck again after Ngou Demba failed to hold to Lopes Silva’s shot but the Bolivian fired over.

But Mosta restored their lead on 78 minutes when Failla’s thumping drive from a free-kick and in came Chiemezie to fire home.

In stoppage time, Prsa came close to an equaliser but his inswinger flashed just wide.