Birkirkara 1
Plut 25;
Mosta 1
Murga 88;

Loaned to Mosta in the close season, Edin Murga had a point to prove when he faced Birkirkara yesterday.

The Bosnian striker, one of the most creative and composed players in a largely tetchy game, had the last say as his clinical goal two minutes from the end salvaged a point for Mosta and prevented the Stripes from taking three, the third time in their opening five games that Giovanni Tedesco’s team dropped points.

Not that they deserved better. Birkirkara looked short of ideas for most of the game, especially in midfield where the normally reliable duo of Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech looked a pale shadow of their usual selves.

Birkirkara would probably have won had Liliu not wasted two glaring chances but that would have been unfair on Mosta who proved a match for their more-quoted opponents. Ivan Zammit’s men were overjoyed when Murga scored the equaliser but the Bosnian kept his celebrations in check out of respect for his parent club.

Rowen Muscat was restored to Birkirkara’s initial XI after being rested for the 4-1 win over Pembroke while Frank Temile also started ahead of Fabrizio Miccoli who was on the bench.

Birkirkara’s tactical configuration was 4-3-3 with Temile and Liliu flanking Vito Plut in attack.

Nigerian striker Saviour Fidelis took his usual place in attack after receiving the all-clear to play following the head injury that curtailed his participation in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Sliema.

Coach Ivan Zammit made three changes from the Sliema loss with goalkeeper Yenz Cini, Ryan Grech and Ian Zammit roped into the first XI.

Zammit also opted for 4-3-3 with Murga and Zammit playing either side of Fidelis.

The Nigerian was prominent on 12 minutes as he sped clear of the backtracking Birkirkara defenders but Fidelis lost time as he surveyed his options and was dispossessed.

The early exchanges were devoid of goalmouth action with Birkirkara taking a while to get into their stride but they took the lead on 25 minutes.

Liliu was instrumental as his powerful surge on the right opened up the Mosta defence before the Brazilian squared to Vito Plut who poked home from close in for his third goal in the last two games.

Three minutes later, Mosta had a half-chance as the Birkirkara defence’s clearance from Ryan Grech’s set-piece cross fell to Samuel Chukwide whose strong drive was charged down by Haber.

The early advantage failed to settle Birkirkara who struggled to impose themselves on a perky Mosta side.

There was an altercation before half-time as Temile appeared to confront a Mosta player but calm was soon restored.

Early in the second half, Birkirkara ought to have extended their lead when Plut charged clear on the right before picking out Liliu who miscued his shot at the far post.

At the other end, Mosta also came close as Chukwide’s cross from a right-wing free-kick sparked a goalmouth melee with Fidelis nipping in to glance the ball goalwards but Haber defused the danger.

Liliu missed another inviting opportunity as he headed wide after meeting Plut’s cross from the right.

Tedesco hauled off the low-key Temile in favour of Ryan Scicluna and adjusted 3-4-1-2.

The game was getting physical with the Mosta fans growing increasingly dismay by some refereeing decisions.

Their frustration grew when Fidelis fluffed a glorious chance, rifling wide from inside the box.

Mosta upped the pace of their game as they searched for an equaliser while Birkirkara often resorted to vertical balls in the direction of Liliu and Plut.

On one occasion, a misplaced pass by Ekani opened the way for Liliu to sprint into the box but out came Cini to close the Brazilian down.

Mosta’s efforts paid off three minute from time.

They owed it to Murga who set off on a diagonal run on the left, drifted infield and dispatched a perfect shot into the far corner.

The Stripes appealed for a penalty after Herrera went down in the box following a challenge but referee Glen Tonna saw nothing wrong.

Amid the ensuing protests, Mauricio Mazzetti was shown a straight red card for hitting Ice Cream Guobadia in an off-the-ball incident.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-6.5, Z. Muscat-6, M. Mazzetti, N. Vukanac-6 (71 E. Marcelina), E. Herrera-6, R. Camenzuli-5, P. Fenech-5.5, R. Muscat-5, F. Temile-5 (59 R. Scicluna-5), Liliu-6 (83 F. Miccoli), V. Plut-7.

Mosta
Y. Cini-6, T. Farrugia-6.5, M. Micallef-6 (79 B. Abel), I. Guobadia-6.5, R. Grech-6 (80 D. Falzon), H. Yau-6.5, S. Chukwide-5.5 (67 J. Brincat-5.5). R. Ekani-6, I. Zammit-6.5, E. Murga-7.5, S. Fidelis-6.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Yellow cards: Chukwide; Mazzetti; Yau; Zammit;

Red card: Mazzetti (B) 90.

BOV player of the match: Vito Plut (Birkirkara).

Attendance: 779.