Second half penalty decides keen game

Valletta 0 Mosta 1

This resulted to be a very keen and fast game watched by a large crowd at Rabat Ground.

Both teams had their good moments and referee Gordon Camilleri had a very difficult encounter to control as there were many fouls committed by both sets of players. Valletta are on one point as they drew their previous game against Pieta and Mosta won their first points as they lost their previous game against St Andrew.

The first threats came from Mosta. Jordan Vella was fouled outside the area and the ball was headed aeay by Miguel Micallef from the free kick by Calvin Camilleri. Liam Portelli then outsped two defenders on the right flank and crosed the ball to Camilleri in the area but Valletta keeper Andre’ Spiteri saved his shot.

At the other end, George Scerri was fouled on the right flank but from Ghigo’s free kick the ball was cleared away. In another action by Mosta Caydon Bugeja released Karl Bianco on the edge of the area and Spiteri denied him with a diving save to a corner.

Ghigo was then fouled in midfield and the free kick by Seyown Zammit created havoc in Mosta’s area but the ball was cleared.

Jeremy Micallef was fouled outside the area and Ghigo missed Mosta’s upright from the free kick. Spiteri came to his side’s rescue once again when he dived and saved a header from close rabge by Vella.

At the other end, Mosta keeper Kyle Zammit saved in two attempts a distant shot by Shaun Dimech after a Scerri pass.

Early in the second half, Mosta won a free kick as Portelli was fouled on the right flank. Camilleri’s cross was headed slightly wide by Jordan Vella.

In the 62nd minute Mosta opened the score. Camilleri served Vella with a through ball in the area and as he was tripped by the onrushing Spiteri the referee pointed to the spot and showed the red card to Spiteri. Camilleri took charge of the spot kick and scored with a hard low drive sending Valletta substitute keeper Deacon Grech the wrong way.

Valletta went all out to try and save the day. Micallef was fouled on the right edge of the area and Zammit saved the free kick by the same player while substitute Kenley Scerri drove slightly over the bar from outside the area after dribbling past an opponent.

In the 80th minute Valletta were further reduced to nine men when substitute Jeanleon Cassar was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Liam Portelli.

Valletta: A.Spiteri, S.Zammit, O.Mackay, M.Ghigo, J.Micallef, R.Tonna, O.Duca, G.Scerri, E.Fenech, M.Micallef, S.Dimech

Mosta: K.Zammit, A.Battistelli, M.Aquilina, J.Aquilina, C.Bugeja, J.Vella, C.Camilleri, L.Portelli, M.Attard, M.Formosa, K.Bianco Referee: Gordon Camilleri Player of the match: Jordan Vella (Mosta)