Entertaining match marred by controversial decisions

Mosta 5
San Gwann 1

One of the best matches so far in the MIA Division One championship this season was marred by two controversial decisions which changed the course of yesterday's game in Mosta's favour at the expense of San Gwann.

An indirect free-kick, awarded to Mosta, for a dubious back-pass 'infringement', helped the Blues to equalise on 1-1. Then, there was a disputed early second-half dismissal which severely weakened San Gwann who, until then, were playing on a par with Mosta. However, this decision then saw them losing composure and once they fell behind, the category's newcomers never looked likely to return home with some points in the bag.

The first 45 minutes were really entertaining stuff with both teams playing fast and flowing football although showing little tactical awareness as the two rearguards lacked concentration.

After only three minutes, a Clint Gatt free-kick, for San Gwann, was brilliantly turned away to corner by Charles Sciberras. Three minutes later Mosta replied with Ives Bilocca, who, however, hit over.

San Gwann took the lead in the 18th minute. Joseph Ackokwu dribbled his way past three Mosta players, including the goalkeeper, but seemed to lose control when on the point of shooting home. However, in came Andre Decesare who finished the job to put his team 1-0 ahead.

Mosta could have equalised on 20 minutes but Camenzuli shot high from a Roderick Asciak cross. Four minutes later, the Mosta striker rounded San Gwann goalkeeper Chris Cini but the ensuing cross-shot was cleared in time.

The Saints yesterday had former Malta goalkeeper David Cluett on the bench in the absence of indisposed coach Noel Coleiro. They almost doubled their lead but Ackokwu's volley was well saved by Sciberras.

Mosta drew level on the stroke of half-time. Referee Roberto Buontempo awarded them an indirect free-kick inside the box as he judged Antonio Saliba's deflection to be a backpass to goalkeeper Cini. From the ensuing set-piece, Newell passed to Pio Vassallo who rifled the ball home.

Two minutes from the restart there was a second controversial decision by the match officials.

San Gwann's Decesare and Mario Abela, of Mosta, went hard for the ball near the touchline. The referee reached for his card but before taking any action he opted to consult his assistant, positioned at the other side of the field. To San Gwann's dismay, he dismissed Decesare as Abela escaped with no punishment.

On 57 minutes, Sciberras hit over for San Gwann but three minutes later Mosta took the lead, Camenzuli lobbing the ball home from Bilocca's service - 2-1.

Camenzuli was thwarted by Cini on 71 minutes but minutes later the Mosta striker made no mistake when put through by Asciak.

San Gwann were stunned and Stefan Farrugia headed home Mosta's fourth on 83 minutes before Bilocca wrapped up victory after ramming home a rebound.

Mosta: C. Sciberras, P. Sciriha, M. Abela (B. Galea), P. Vassallo, R. Asciak, A. Chetcuti (S. Farrugia), D. Cuschieri (M. Agius), C. Camenzuli, R. Newell, I. Bilocca, J. Grech.

San Gwann: C. Cini, A. Gatt (D. Zammit), J. Farrugia, A. Saliba, G. Magri, C. Agius, C. Cuschieri, C. Gatt (R. Caruana), J.C. Ackokwu, K. Sciberras, A. Decesare.

Referee: Roberto Buontempo.