Naxxar Lions grabbed their first win of the season as an Emiliano Lattes brace earned them a 2-0 win over Mosta in a hard-fought derby at the National Stadium.

Clive Mizzi’s men were off to a flier and they drew first blood on 14 minutes when Lattes ran onto the Mosta defence and hit a firm low drive that had the better of goalkeeper Yenz Cini. Mosta were rattled and they conceded again three minutes later.

It was Lattes again who punished Mosta’s loose marking as the Argentine winger was given time and space to control the ball at the edge of the area before hitting a powerful drive that flew into the net.

Nine minutes from the break, Mosta were awarded a free-kick from which Yau picked Ekani Rodriguez who quickly crossed towards Bobby Frederick whose firm header was too central to trouble Naxxar goalkeeper Azzopardi.

Two minutes from the break, Ice Cream Guobadia tried his luck from the distance but his effort flew over. On the stroke of half-time Rodriguez sent a dipping cross towards Fidelis whose header finished just over.

Naxxar could have killed off Mosta three minutes into the second half when in a swift break Jurgen Debono released Daren Falzon but his low drive was blocked by the feet of Cini.

Mosta continued to hold the majority of possession but their ploy of launching continuous crosses inside the area was backfiring as Azzopardi was proving dominant in the Lions goal.

The Naxxar goalkeeper again denied Mosta 20 minutes from time when he dived full stretch to keep out Frederick’s header.

Six minutes from time, Mosta were unlucky not to pull a goal back. They were awarded a central free-kick from which Fidelis’s curling drive came off the bar and from the rebound Tyrone Farrugia’s header was cleared off the line by Andrew Scicluna.

Naxxar striker Emiliano Lattes was voted as the BOV Player of the match.