Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1088108
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 MARCH 2019 BOV PREMIER LEAGUE SPORTS WARREN ZAMMIT MOSTA moved another step closer towards safety as they se- cured a 3-2 win over Pietà Hot- spurs. Pietà and Mosta faced off each other during the first match at the National Stadium. Following their win over Ham- run, Mosta were looking to keep the momentum going. On the other hand, the Hotspurs are struggling and find themselves bottom of the table. They were coming from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Balzan. Mosta threatened Pietà after 11 minutes. Duane Bonnici's long range effort sailed off tar- get. Mark Miller's side were un- lucky not to break the deadlock on the 22nd minute. Dexter Xuereb crossed the ball into the direction of the unmarked Al- exander Darlington whose shot was cleared off the line by Juan Manuel Artiaga. Mosta's efforts paid off three minutes later. Imeri Demir's delivery from a corner went into the path of Tyrone Farrugia who headed the ball home from close range. Xuereb doubled Mosta's ad- vantage on the 37th minute. The Maltese midfielder sent a cross shot that stunned Nicho- las Vella. Pietà retaliated and pulled one back two minutes later. Jan Busuttil's shot from distance stamped off the upright. Nicho- las Pisani took the rebound and headed the ball past Andreas Vella. During the second half, Pietà saw more of the ball, but found it hard to find a way past Mo- sta's defence. However, they finally managed to equalise on the 76th minute. Uchenna Umeh Calistus squared the ball for Gabriel Mensah who drilled a low shot past Vella. Celebrations didn't last long for Pietà as Mosta scored just four minutes later. Akeem Gar- net Roach delivered a low cross towards the unmarked Demir Imeri who placed the ball inside the net from close range. Pietà could not find the energy to hit back again. In fact, Mosta nearly added another during the additional time given by the ref- eree. Duane Bonnici unleashed a powerful shot from the right that forced a good save from Nicholas Vella. Mosta starting line-up: An- dreas Vella, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Alexander Darlington, Duane Bonnici, Massimo Sam- martino, Dexter Xuereb, Rafael Morisco, Tyrone Farrugia, Fed- erico Franchini, Akeem Garnet Roach, Demir Imeri Pietà Hotspurs starting line-up: Nicholas Vella, Neil Pace Cocks, Dylan Agius, Paul Chimezie, Jan Busuttil, Nicho- las pisani, Gabriel Mensah, Juan Manuel Artiaga, Stefan Rado- vanovic, Uchenna Umeh Calis- tus, Ishaya Irmiya Jalo Referee: Etienne Mangion Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Ivan Galea Fourth Official: Emanuel Grech BOV Player of the Match: Demir Imeri (Mosta) Mosta edge past Pietà Mosta Pietà Hotspurs 3 2 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG BIRKIRKARA returned to winning ways as two goals inside the second half earned the Stripes a 2-0 win over St Andrews. Birkirkara forged ahead five min- utes into the second half. Luke Montebello fired a diagonal shot that went past debutant goalkeep- er, Elmaddin Mammadov. Michael Mifsud sealed Birkirka- ra's win on the 87th minute. The veteran player received the ball from Thiago Brito de Souza and fired a low shot that went inside the net. Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Naumovski, Maurizio Vella, Luke Montebello, Johann Bezzina, Kurt Zammit, Mancha Ferreira dos Santos, Nikola Vu- kanac, Michael Mifsud, Cain At- tard, Terence Agius, Marcelinho de Siqueira St Andrews starting line-up: Elmaddin Mammadov, Alex Sa- tariano, Ricardo Martin, Travis Blagrove, Kemar Reid, Joseph Far- rugia, Kurt Magro, Adrian Borg, Martin Davis, Degran Jackson, Matthew Woo Ling Referee: Darryl Agius Assistant Referees: Duncan Sul- tana, Duncan Spencer Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit BOV Player of the Match: Luke Montebello (Birkirkara) Birkirkara St Andrews 2 0 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG GZIRA are back on track after securing a comfortable 4-1 win over Qormi. The Maroons took the lead after just eight minutes. Haruna Garba drilled a low shot that gave David Cassar no chance. Gzira doubled their lead on the 19th min- ute. Juan Corbalan delivered a cross towards Nikolai Muscat who finished past Cassar. Jesmond Zerafa's men scored again during the additional time prior to half time. Davide Mansi floored Garba inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. Andrew Cohen took charge of the spot kick and converted. Qormi pulled one back on the 52nd minute. Tensior Gusman's low shot went past Justin Haber. However, Gzira made sure of the three points on the hour mark as Muscat scored his second goal of the match. Qormi starting line-up: David Cassar, Davide Mansi, Yannick Yankam, Antonio Rozzi, Manolito Micallef, Mboyo Jordy Lo- kando, Mohamed Malela Bangoura, Lucas dos Santos, Romeu Romao, Kassiano Soares, Tensior Gusman Gzira United starting line-up: Justin Haber, Nicky Muscat, Zachary Scerri, An- drew Cohen, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Roderick Briffa, GIanmarco Conti, Sacha Borg, Haruna Garba Referee: Philip Farrugia Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Darko Stankovic Fourth Official: Glen Tonna Qormi Gzira 1 4 Gzira thump Qormi, return to winning ways Two goals inside second half earn Birkirkara the three points