Mosta came back from a goal down to register their first win, beating Balzan 2 – 1

It was by far the best performance by Mosta this season and although Balzan had their fair share of scoring opportunities, Mosta converted a couple of the chances which came their way to take the three points home.

For this game, Balzan fielded an unchanged side that won the game against Hamrun while Mosta made two changes from the team which lost to Hibernians as they replaced Christ Ememe and Johnson Nsumoh with William Donkin and Rafael Morisco.

In the 1st minute, Mosta went close when off a cross from the right by Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Clayton Failla headed the ball into goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes’s hand.

However, Balzan took the lead in the 2nd minute thanks to MILOS MIJIC who received an assist from the left by Alex da Paixao Alves and tapped the ball home.

Following this goal Balzan took control and a minute later Alex da Paixao Alves defeated the offside game and sped into the box but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, instead of shooting decided to cross the ball with the defenders clearing to safety.

In the 12th minute, Milan Djuric concluded a good move with a shot from outside the area which ended just wide and a minute later, Bojan Kaljevic’s backheel pass for Milos Mijic saw the latter just miss the target.

However, in the 16th minute, Mosta levelled matters. Rodriquez Ekani delivered a cross from the right and while defenders Augustine Loof and Michael Johnson both failed to clear SUNDAY AKINBULE took the advantage and managed to slot the ball past goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes.

In the 21st minute, Roderick Briffa was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a long distance powerful drive.

In the half-hour, William Donkin’s angled shot scraped past the post.

Mosta continued threatening and in the 34th minute, a powerful drive by Rodriguez Ekani ended just wide.

In the 50th minute, following a cross by Rodrigues Ekani, Sunday Akibule saw his effort finishing high.

A minute later, Mosta goalkeeper Marko Jovicic neutralised an effort by Bojan Kalejvic after receiving an assist from Milan Duric.

In the 61st minute, Marko Jovicic performed a great save on a powerful shot from outside the area by Milos Mijic.

Another effort by Milos Mijic in the 75th minute was saved in two attempts by the Mosta goalkeeper.

Despite this effort by Balzan, two minutes later, Mosta notched the winner. SUNDAY AKINBULE received a long through pass by Clayton Failla and after another indecision by the defense, he anticipated the goalkeeper and placed the ball at the back of the net.

MOSTA: Marko Jovicic, Roderick Briffa, William Donkin (Johnson Nsumoh 67’), Clayton Failla, Tyrone Farrugia, Ivan Doric, Mehdi Hetemaj, Rafael Morisco, Zachary Brincat (Gianluca Sciberras 67’), Sunday Akinbule (Luis Riascos 86’), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani. 

BALZAN: Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab, Marcus Grima (88-Sean Cipriott 80’), Milan Djuric (77-Aleksa Andrejic 80’), Paul Fenech (Pedro Mota 89’), Alex da Paixao Alves, Michael Johnson, Milos Zlatkovic (Gary Camilleri 80’), Milos Mijic, Bojan Kaljevic (Neil Frendo 89’).

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele

BOV Player of the Match: Sunday Akinbule