Marsaxlokk 5
Obiefule 23, 75, 90; Deanov 43; Farrugia 81;
Mosta 2
Martin 47; Zammit 58 pen;
Mosta began life back in the top flight with a heavy loss as Marsaxlokk taught them a painful lesson regarding Premier League football. Two goals behind at half-time, Oliver Spiteri’s side rallied impressively and levelled just before the hour stroke.
However, tiredness took its toll on the Mosta players, allowing the southseasiders to put a gloss on the scoreline in the closing stages to leave the Hibernians Stadium with only regrets after their first appearance in the Premier League since 2006.
Thirteen minutes into the match, in a swift Marsaxlokk counter-attack, Obinna Obiefule rode two tackles before unleashing a low strike, only to see it being parried in two attempts by Mosta goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.
But the Nigerian shrugged off his disappointment soon after when from a Martin Deanov pass, Obiefule sped through, rounded Zammit and deposited the ball into an empty net.
The southseasiders threatened to heap further embarrassment on their opponents after 40 minutes. Deanov again unsettled the Mosta defence with a teasing ball into the box where Obiefule was intercepted by Kenneth Spiteri who cleared the danger.
Barely three minutes later, the Bulgarian midfielder doubled Marsaxlokk’s lead, this time with a cute lob. Spiteri tried to cover the ball for the onrushing Zammit and hit the ball, on the line but referee Mario Apap adjudged his shot had crossed the line and awarded the goal.
Two minutes into the second half, Mosta re-opened the issue when Kurt Magro’s 25-metre shot bounced off the underside of the bar.
The clearance fell to Gilbert Martin who, left unmarked by a disjointed Marsaxlokk defence, could deposit the ball into the net with a simple tap-in. Mosta had the momentum, but it was halted when Zammit did superbly to turn Obiefule’s shot away for corner.
But Spiteri’s side soon picked up the pace again and after 58 minutes Martin charged into the box but his progression was illegitimately halted by Patrick Borg and the referee quickly ordered a penalty. From the spot, Ian Zammit elected to shoot low and hard as the ball flew past Gauci.
At this point, Mosta had nothing left to give despite their fightback and Marsaxlokk regained their composure and were back in front in the 75th minute when Obiefule struck his second goal from the penalty spot after Malcolm Licari had been fouled by Valdo Alinho.
The goal changed the game completely as Marsaxlokk settled their nerves and substitute Jean Paul Farrugia who had just replaced Licari, scored with virtually his first touch.
Just before the final whistle, Obiefule set off on a dazzling run as he flicked the ball forward, jinking past three players, before coolly placing the ball beyond Zammit.
Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-5, C. Mamo-6, M. Deanov-6.5 (85 S. Borg), C. Campagnoli-7, M. Licari-6 (80 J.P. Farrugia), J. Xerri-5, C. Brincat-6, T. Templeman-7.5, P. Borg-4.5, O. Obiefule-8 (90 S. Eboh), F. Raimy-6.
Mosta
G. Zammit -5, A. Borg-5, L. Martinelli-5.5 (73 K. Farrugia), K. Spiteri-6, R. Alinho-5, S. Grech-5.5, K. Magro-6, J. Bajada-5, G. Martin-6.5, I. Zammit-5, F.Aboulezz-4.5 (46 A. Cini-5).
Referee: Mario Apap.
Yellow cards: Raimy, Templeman, Bajada, Borg, Grech, Alinho, Magro.
BOV player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Marsaxlokk).