Mosta and Żabbar SP secure top-flight status as Naxxar and Tarxien Rainbows suffer relegation

The result meant that the Lions and the Rainbows were condemned to Challenge League football next season despite showing remarkable improvement in the Closing Round.

Mosta needed a first-half goal from Azer Kozic to secure a 1-0 win over neighbouring rivals Naxxar Lions at the National Stadium.

The Blues fully deserved their victory as they were in control right from the outset, and once they took the lead, they never looked back as they held off their opponents to secure a crucial win that prolongs their stay in the top flight.

For Naxxar, it was a disappointing end to what has been a very remarkable second part of the season that saw them finish in the Top 6 at the expense of a number of big guns such as Hibernians, Birkirkara, and Sliema Wanderers.

However, the Lions failed to perform in the most important clash of the season and will now have to restart in the Challenge League.

Mosta were off to a strong start, and after 15 minutes, Prince Emmanuel sped inside the area but hit a tame shot that goalkeeper Matthias Debono easily saved.

But the Blues were not to be denied on 22 minutes when Nevin Portelli seized possession just outside the area, and he quickly found Kozic, who beat Debono with a low drive.

Naxxar’s only opportunity in the first half came through Moura Cardoso, whose thumping drive finished just over.

Debono came to Naxxar’s rescue on the stroke of half-time when he needed two attempts to keep out Nevin Portelli’s shot.

Mosta almost doubled their lead on 50 minutes when Bolanos’ header was somehow kept out by Debono and from the rebound, Portelli’s shot was blocked by Pahama.

Naxxar’s hopes suffered a blow on 75 minutes when Gustavo Felipe was shown the red card following a second bookable offence.

Mosta could have sealed the win in stoppage time but Goncalves’ shot came off the upright.

But that little mattered as Mosta held on for the win.

At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Żabbar St Patrick scored twice in extra-time to overcome Tarxien Rainbows.

It was sweet revenge for Żabbar who made up for the midweek upset to the Rainbows in a decider for tenth place.

Tarxien created the better chances but their profligacy in front of goal came back to haunt them.

The Rainbows came close inside the first minute with Marko Musulin firing just wide.

The Croatian forward was at it again on 20 minutes but this time his shot was saved by Manuel Djalo.

The Rainbows protested for a penalty on 31 minutes when they felt that a Żabbar defender handled the ball but the referee waved away their protests after consulting the Football Video Support.

Tarxien came close on 41 minutes when Santiago Cejas moved past two defenders but fired over while Mario Fontanella hit a low drive that drifted just wide.

The second half was bereft of scoring chances as teh match drifted to extra-time.

In the first half of overtime, Tarxien quickly had the ball in Żabbar’s net but the ‘goal’ was annulled for offside.

Instead it was Żabbar who struck on 107 minutes when Ayom Mayok fired home from close in.

It was all Żabbar now and on 114 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Luis Felipe was brought down inside the area and from the spot Mario Fontanella made no mistake.

There was more misery for Tarxien as minutes later they were reduced to ten men when Claudio Murici was shown the red card.