Birkirkara’s Rowen Muscat (right) and Manolito Micallef, the Mosta skipper, vying for possession during yesterday’s match at the Hibernians Stadium. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Mosta 0
Birkirkara 3
Agius 7; Barroso 83; Camenzuli 90;

Birkirkara completed their 2015 commitments on a high as they overcame the challenge of Mosta in an abrasive encounter yesterday.

It was a solid performance from the Stripes who quickly took control of the match inside the opening ten minutes when Edmond Agius put them ahead with a well-taken goal.

Many expected the Stripes to stay in charge but Mosta refused to lie down as they tried to apply some pressure on their opponents with their physical approach. However, they could not breach the Birkirkara defence.

The second-half dismissal of Onyeakachi Okonkwo, for passing remarks, didn’t help Mosta’s cause and Birkirkara went on to seal the points late on with goals from Juan Barroso and Ryan Camenzuli.

The win not only eased the pressure on the Stripes but, more importantly, lifted the team to just two points behind joint-leaders Valletta and Hibernians who face each other this afternoon.

Birkirkara’s assistant coach Josef Mansueto effected two changes to the team that beat Pembroke last week.

Brazilian midfielder Emerson Marcelina started ahead of the not fully fit Gareth Sciberras while Agius was given the nod to replace the suspended Frank Temile.

Mosta were boosted with the return from suspension of forward Edin Murga. The Bosnian started ahead of Dyson Falzon who is recovering from a knee injury. Edile Micheletti was preferred to Kyle Frendo who was included among the substitutes.

Mosta made a bright start and after five minutes Murga sped clear on the left before releasing Ekani Rodriguez but his header finished over.

But it was Birkirkara who struck first on seven minutes. Rowen Muscat fed Liliu and the Brazilian quickly slid the ball into the path of Agius who rifled his shot past Yenz Cini.

Mosta tried to hit back and two minutes later Murga latched on to Zammit’s corner but his header was blocked by Ini Akpan.

Birkirkara almost doubled their lead on 14 minutes when Ryan Camenzuli’s backheel freed Plut but the Slovenian was denied by the quick-thinking Cini.

The match remained evenly balanced with neither side holding a decisive edge. On 28 minutes Plut beat the offside trap but his attempted lob finished wide.

Plut remained a thorn in Mosta’s side and on 40 minutes he burst through the middle but his shot was stopped by Ekani.

Two minutes later, Liliu picked Zach Muscat inside the area and the wingback’s overhead kick was brilliantly palmed away by Cini.

At the other end, Akpan had to show fine reflexes to tip over Hassan Yau’s header.

Birkirkara started the second half on the attack. They were awarded a free-kick from which Mauricio Mazzetti’s effort was pushed away by Cini.

The rhythm was curtailed with a series of fouls from either side.

Liliu was lucky to avoid a card when he hit Manolito Micallef with his arm but Georgia FA referee Lasha Silagava opted for a foul.

Birkirkara should have killed off the match when Plut picked the unmarked Rowen Muscat inside the area but he was denied by Cini.

Mosta suffered a blow a minute later when Okonkwo was shown a second yellow card.

The Mosta coach’s response was to withdraw Ian Zammit and rope in James Brincat as he looked to infuse more balance in his team.

Mansueto replaced the tired Liliu with Juan Barroso.

The Stripes substitute took little time to leave his mark as seven minutes from time he took charge of a central free-kick and his drive had the better of Cini.

Mosta were denied a consolation goal a minute from time when in a swift break Brincat saw his rising shot coming off the upright with Akpan beaten.

Birkirkara had the final say though as Camenzuli capped his fine performance with a superb goal after beat Cini with a shot from the edge of the area.

Mosta
Y. Cini-6, E. Rodriguez-6.5, H. Yau-6, T. Farrugia-5.5, M. Micallef-6, I. Zammit-6 (70 J. Brincat), E. Micheletti-6, O. Okonkwo, I. Guobadia-6 (87 K. Frendo), E. Murga-6.5, Gustavo-5.5 (82 A. Borg).

Birkirkara
I. Akpan-6, Z. Muscat-6.5, N. Vukanac-6, M. Mazzetti-6, J. Zerafa-6, R. Muscat-6.5 (73 R. Scicluna), E. Agius-6.5, E. Marcelina-6, R. Camenzuli-7.5, V. Plut-6, Liliu-6 (77 J. Barroso).

Referee: Lasha Silagava (Georgia FA).

Yellow cards: Micheletti, Mazzetti, Okonkwo, Ekani, Liliu, Akpan.

Red card: Okonkwo (M) 65.

BOV player of the match: Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara).

Attendance: 632.