Mosta and Żabbar St Patrick scored crucial victories over Hibernians and Gżira United, respectively, to stay away from the relegation zone and condemn Naxxar Lions to end the Opening Phase in second-from-bottom.
Mosta and Żabbar had their fate firmly in their hands as they started the final match-day of the Opening Round with a point advantage over Naxxar Lions. Winning their respective encounter would complete the job, something they attained with ease. Mosta needed two second-half goals to see off Hibernians.
There was hardly any difference between the two teams during a quiet first half but towards the hour, Mosta, who needed maximum points from this clash to finish third from bottom, managed to break the deadlock and went on to maintain the lead and eventually double the score deep in stoppage time.
Mosta had former Hibernians midfielder Pedro Cacho and Cheikh Senghor making their debut. Chukwuemeka Eke and Prince Emmanuel both started on the bench.
On the other hand, Hibs coach Branko Nisevic was forced to make two changes in the starting line-up as Pedrao and Miullen were both ruled out through suspension along with Alfred Silas Hamanjoda with Lucas Caruana and Cleiton handed a start.
The two teams shared the exchanges during the first half with the two goalkeepers hardly being tested.
On 11 minutes, Zachary Brincat exchanged the ball with Nathan Agius before serving Simon Zibo whose conclusion from outside the area was neutralised by Branescu.
A minute later, Lucas Villela went close with a diagonal shot from the left, ending just wide, when served on the edge of the area.
Hibernians missed an excellent opportunity to take the lead seven minutes in the second half when Duane Bonnici served Lucas Villela from the left and the Brazilian forward hit just wide from an ideal position.
However, Mosta managed to take the lead on 59 minutes when Pedro Cacho delivered a corner from the right and Jake Vassallo headed past goalkeeper Branescu.
The Paolites replied with an overhead kick by Cleiton which was saved by Akpan on 63 minutes.
Five minutes later, Mailson Lima served Kevin Halabaku on the right but his diagonal shot ended wide.
Cheikh Senghor had a conclusion from the left blocked by Hibs goalkeeper Laurentiu Branescu, with the ball ending in a corner on 76 minutes.
Two minutes later, the Hibs custodian turned into a corner a fine Zachary Brincat effort from outside the area.
In added time, the Blues went close with a long-range effort by Gianluca Sciberras which, however, failed to surprise Branescu.
However, six minutes in added time, Mosta doubled the score.
Bjorn Kristensen brought Prince Chibuzor Emmanuel down inside the area. Referee Glen Tonna ordered a penalty, and the same Nigerian forward made no mistake.
Żabbar St Patrick scored two first-half goals to see off Gżira United and stay clear of the drop zone.
Mayron gave the Saints a headstart when he fired them ahead after only five minutes of play.
The Maroons tried to fightback but any hope of coming back to the match were all but ended on the half-hour mark when Mario Fontanella made it 2-0 to seal the points for his team.
At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Naxxar made their intentions clear right from the word ‘go’, and after ten minutes, Vinicius sped forward and hit a thumping drive that just whisked past the upright.
The Rainbows were waiting impatiently, and on 27 minutes they should have taken the lead when, after a lightning break, Joamir Isidoro was found in space inside the area, but Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono somehow kept out his thumping header.
The Lions’ response was immediate, as when play resumed, Vinicius raced clear and found Christopher Fourmy inside the area. The Naxxar forward turned past his marker but was denied by Lubik.
The Polish goalkeeper was kept busy as on 32 minutes, he did well to push away Edson Farias’ shot.
The match continued to be end-to-end-stuff with the Rainbows threatening on 38 minutes when Claudio Henrique found Nhayson at the far post but he headed over.
Naxxar had a glorious chance to take the lead on 40 minutes when Miguel D’Alessandro fouled Vinicius inside the area, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.
However, from the 11-metre mark, Joao Victor saw his shot saved by Bublik.
Early in the second half, Naxxar continued where they left off, with Weder forcing a fine save from Bublik.
The match remained evenly poised albeit scoring chances receded considerably when compared to the first half.
Tarxien almost stunned Naxxar on 76 when Wallisson found Ledezma whose shot was blocked from a few metres out.
Naxxar finally threatened on 84 minutes but Eder’s shot finished just wide.
When it looked as though the match would end in a draw, Naxxar hit the winner. From a free-kick action, Neil Pace Cock’s shot was not cleared and Pereira on hand to fire home.
But that was just a mere consolation as Mosta and Żabbar’s wins condemned them to end the Opening Round in the relegation zone.
Marsaxlokk handed Birkirkara a sixth successive defeat as they defeated them 2-1 in the final match from the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round Top 6 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
Dodo put the Southseasiders ahead on 10 minutes but Fran Lopez equalised on 36 minutes.
The game seemed heading for a draw but Marsaxlokk had other thoughts as Ensell Attard notched the winner two minutes in added time.
