Melita stun Mosta

Mosta 2
Melita 2

Promotion-seekers Mosta threw away a two-goal advantage as Melita returned home with a precious point in their quest to retain their status at the end of the season.

This was a lost chance for Mosta who had three regulars missing as goalkeeper Jonathan Debono, Bryan Agius and Kane Farrugia were all suspended. They looked heading for victory after leading 2-0 with a few minutes left but Melita had other ideas and fought back bravely to save the match at the death despite playing with a player less.

Mosta were the better side for most of the match as their opponents looked more concentrated in defence. However, at times, the Blues found it difficult to carve openings as strikers Gilbert Martin and Victor Osobu looked too isolated up front.

Melita had Julian Galea under close scrutiny and Luke Micallef, so influential on the flanks in previous matches, had a quiet outing and was eventually substituted.

It took Mosta 35 minutes to open the scoring. Martin sped past his marker but was brought down by goalkeeper Matthew Sapiano. From the spot, Mark Briggs made it 1-0.

Mosta retained the upperhand but Melita held tight to stop the Blues from adding to their tally.

The Blues thought they had wrapped up the match on 50 minutes when Lyden Micallef picked up a loose ball from just outside the box before hitting a grounder past Sapiano.

Martin was then put through by Briggs but his final shot finished too wide of the post.

Melita were now venturing more often into the Mosta half and were unlucky not to pull one back when, from an Ives Bilocca delivery, the ball fell to Galea whose shot from close in smashed against the upright.

Martin missed a sitter for Mosta who were immediately punished as at the other end, substitute Nigel Rizzo halved his team's deficit with a well-taken goal from outside the box.

Those at the Ħamrun stadium might have thought that Melita's chances were over when two minutes from time Sapiano was sent off for handling the ball outside his box.

But Nicolo Baldacchino thought otherwise. In stoppage time, he beat the offside trap, following a neat Steve Bonnici pass, and hit home Melita's equaliser.

Mosta: N. Attard, A. Borg, L. Stivala (D. Cauchi), M. Brincat, M. Briggs, J. Vella (L. Grima), L. Micallef, T. Vella, C. Pace, G. Martin, V. Osobu (J. Bajada).

Melita: M. Sapiano, S. Bonnici, G. Gribbon, N. Zammit, M. Martin, M. Borg (L. Sammut), N. Baldacchino, J. Galea, J. Mifsud, L. Micallef (N. Rizzo), I. Bilocca (M. Fenech).

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Man of the match: Mark Briggs (Mosta).

Playing today: Tedesco Stadium: 19.00 Marsaxlokk vs San Ġwann.