Zammit strikes late to spare Mosta’s blushes

Msida St Joseph 0
Mosta 1

On paper, this third-round tie between Mosta and Msida St Joseph looked like a mismatch but it was anything but.

It says all about Mosta’s low-key showing and Msida’s spirited effort that the Premier League side had to wait until five minutes from the end to break the deadlock, Ian Zammit sparing his team’s blushes when knocking Michel Bertrand Maki Mvondo’s cross into the net.

Mosta coach Steve D’Amato had taken no risks as he called upon most of his first-choice players. Zammit, Mvondo and Gilbert Martin took up the three attacking positions in Mosta’s 4-3-3 formation.

Anthony Dalli, the Msida coach, had two players with Premier League experience in his starting XI, former Hibs defender Matthew Clarke and veteran Mario Caruana, who spent the best years of his career with Floriana.

Inside the first two minutes, Msida’s Fernando De Andrade outpaced Federico Tisbi and raced into the box but his shot was too weak to trouble Glenn Zammit in the Mosta goal.

The Division Two outfit threatened to take the lead on 11 minutes when Ryan Xuereb’s shot from outside the area was fumbled by Zammit who then repelled De Andrade’s follow-on shot but the latter was flagged offside.

Mosta’s first chance came from a Zammit free-kick that was saved by John Agius.

The Blues began to see more of the ball as the first half moved on. They would have gone ahead but for a good save by Agius from Zammit’s point-blank flick after the on-loan Valletta striker was put through by Firas Aboulezz.

Undaunted by Mosta’s increasing pressure, Msida kept their tactical shape and tried to play constructive football.

Aboulezz crossed for Mvondo whose header was saved by Agius.

Mosta’s erstwhile casual approach was almost punished by Msida seven minutes from half-time. Melvin Pisani dispossessed Adrian Borg on the left and picked out De Andrade but the latter drove wide from inside the box.

Late in the half, Mosta striker Martin advanced along the byline before hitting a rising shot that was deflected away for a corner.

Mosta clearly had to raise their game if they were to justify their favourites’ tag.

A neat interchange between Mvondo and Martin sent the latter through but he prolonged the ball and Agius was able to close him down. Agius denied Mosta again with an excellent save to push away Aboulezz’s piledriver after good work by substitute Jonathan Bajada.

Agius’s saves epitomised Msida’s defiance as Dalli’s men continued to frustrate their opponents. Zammit lobbed high as Mosta remained lethargic.

Mosta then scored what proved to be the winning goal five minutes from the end thanks to Zammit.

Msida threatened to gain an instant equaliser but De Andrade’s angled drive was cleared.

Msida: J. Agius, L. Cassar, M. Borda, O. Zammit, M. Clarke, M. Pisani (M. Curtis), R. Xuereb (D. Attard), M. Caruana, A. Pirrone (M. Crupi), P. Sakchai, F. De Andrade.

Mosta: G. Zammit, A. Borg, F. Tisbi, B. Agius (L. Martinelli), Y. Ossok. N. Bogdanovic (J. Bajada), K. Magro, F. Aboulezz, G. Martin (W. Sciberras), I. Zammit, M.B. Mvondo.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.