Mosta drop precious points against Tarxien Rainbows

MOSTA            2         

Emmanuel 45; Agius 45+

TARXIEN RAINBOWS    2         

Costa 2; Erico Jr 79 pen.

MOSTA

U. Akpan, A. Agius, M. Bolanos, C. Eke, G. Sciberras (83 S. Okereke), N. Agius, P. Emmanuel (52 C. Chibuike), S. Zibo, J. Vassallo, Z. Brincat, L. Fernandes.

TARXIEN RAINBOWS

A. Lubik, M. D’Alessandro, G. Costa, C. Murici (89 C. Murici), A. Valverde, S. Mizzi, Nhayson, I. Hinestroza (72 Erico Junior), K. Donsu, A. Vella, M. Grima (61 L. Borg).

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.

Yellow Cards: N. Agius, A. Agius, Emmanuel.

Mosta dropped two important points in the battle to avoid the bottom two places of the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round Bottom 6 after being held to a 2-2 draw by Tarxien Rainbows.

The Rainbows took an early lead, but Mosta turned the score in their favour in the first half. However, Tarxien managed to rescue a point thanks to a late penalty.

Tarxien had Aleksander Lubik, Angel Valverde, and Isidoro Hinestroza making their league debut as Jacques Scerri opted for five changes.

Mosta, on the other hand, had four changes from the team which Naxxar Lions as they welcomed back Aidan Agius, Chukwuemeka Eke, Gianluca Scberras and Prince Chibuzor Emmanuel were back in the starting line-up.

The Rainbows managed to take the lead after just two minutes when off a cross from the right, a header by Isidoro Hinestroza was blocked and off the rebound, Gilson Costa placed the ball at the back of the net.

Immediately after Tarxien’s goal, the match was interrupted for over 20 minutes due to a power cut and a power failure of the FVS system. With the match officials unable to confirm the goal through FVS, the match could not resume until the system was restarted.

Mosta replied with a Leo Fernandes free kick from the left, which was parried by Aleksander Lubik on 38 minutes.

Seven minutes later, the Blues were not to be denied when off a cross by Junior Eke Chukwuemeka from the left, Prince Chibuozor Emmanuel slammed the ball past goalkeeper Lubik with the ball hitting the upright before ending at the back of the net.

The fourth official signalled 30 minutes of added time for the first half and six minutes in added time, Mosta made it 2-1.

Leo Fernandes delivered a cross from the left and Aiden Agius headed home past goalkeeper Lubik.

Thirteen minutes in added time, Marcus Grima missed a good opportunity for the Rainbows, hitting high off an inviting pass by Angel Valverde from the left.

Twelve minutes in the second half, a powerful drive by Claudio Murici ended just over the bar and the same player went close with an angled shot from the right on 66 minutes.

The Rainbows levelled matters on 79 minutes.

Referee Matthew De Gabriele ordered a penalty after Aidan Agius handled the ball inside the area, and from the penalty spot, substitute Erico Junior converted.

Three minutes in added time, Mosta went close to regaining the lead with a Nathan Agius effort from the edge of the area, but the ball was, however, deflected into a corner.

Finally, two minutes later, Aidan Agius headed high off a Leo Fernandes free kick from the right.