Mosta beat Zebbug to ease relegation worries

Three second half goals from Haruna Babangida, Ian Zammit and Udo Fortune handed Mosta victory and a vital three points to ease their relegation troubles.  Following this result Mosta are now five points above the same Zebbug; who on the other hand seem likely to remain embroiled in the relegation battle until the very end.

The Rangers seem to be back in the form which saw them occupy bottom place since August, where they have now suffered their fourth defeat in five matches, one point ahead of bottom placed Tarxien Rainbows.

Following a first half void of any goal scoring opportunities and productive Football, Mosta took the lead on 49 minutes when off an Ian Zammit well taken free-kick, Hatem Babangida’s first time effort beat Zebbug keeper Bartolo.

Mosta increased their lead on the 76th minute when from a cross from the left by James Brincat, Ian Zammit’s header went over the keeper’s ahead and into the net to make it 2-0.

Three minutes later Mosta sealed the game through Udo Fortune after the forward took advantage of some uncertainty from the Zebbug keeper.

Zebbug scored their consolation goal merely three minutes later through a penalty taken by Carlo Monti after Jacob Borg was brought down by Karl Pulo in the penalty area.  Pulo was sent off for Mosta following the foul.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

BOV Man of the Match: Haruna Babangida

In the second match,two goals from the in- form Abdel Nafti gave Valletta a most difficult 2-1 win over Pieta Hotspurs at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.  Valletta now currently occupy second place with Birkirkara who are yet to play Floriana on Sunday.

Pieta continued where they had left off against Hibernians producing another resilient and encouraging performance, but again left the stadium empty handed for the second consecutive match.  Following this defeat Pieta remain locked in the relegation battle occupying 11th place one point above Tarxien.

Following a quiet first half, Valletta went ahead on 54 minutes when after some good work by Shaun Bajada, the latter found Abdel Nahti who shot past keeper Montfort to put his team in front.

Moments later, Valletta almost doubled their lead when Pieta defender Gabriel managed to clear off the line following Steve Borg’s headed attempt.  In an attempt to hit their opponents on the counter, Luke Micallef went close to equalising hitting the upright after beating the Valletta keeper with a good run.

However Pieta restored equilibrium on the 71st minute when the positive Luke Micallef beat a defender with pace, who then served the Argentine Claudio Frances who rounded the goalkeeper and putting the ball into the net.

Joy was brief for Pieta however as Valletta went in front less than a minute later through Abdel Nafti with the offensive midfielder chipping the ball over Montfort to hand his team an important three points.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

BOV Man of the Match: Abdel Nafti