vs
1	-	3
24' C.Camilleri		32' K.Magro 35' F.Ramy 57' Z.Kibona

Xewkija Tigers exit the U*BET F.A. Trophy following a close defeat against Malta Premier League side Mosta FC.  Mosta, who are a much more experienced side, found it harder than expected to beat our side, which were the only Gozitan team still in the competition.  

Mosta started the better and after 10 minutes a shot by newly purchased striker Kibona whistles past the post.  On 18 minutes Xewkija replied with a direct free kick by Kiril Dyakov which ended high.  Three minutes an effort by Mosta's Kurt Magri was parried by new Xewkija goalie Adrian Parnis, with Ian Zammit who tapped in from close range. However the goal was dissallowed for an offside position of the same Zammit.  On 23 mintues Xewkija took the lead.  A cross from the right flank by Elton Vella saw Mosta's towering defender Yannick Ossok beat Rodney Buttigieg in the air, however a late reaction on the same Buttigieg was judged as a serious infringement leaving referee Tonna no decision but to give the Tigers the penalty and to show the red card to Ossok.  Chris Camilleri made no mistake to put the Tigers ahead and give the numerous Xewkija fans reasons to celebrate.

However Mosta's reaction was immediate when a corner kick by Ian Zammit on 32 minutes from the left was deflected in goal by Kurt Magro to give Mosta the equalizer.  The Maltese side quickly overturned the result, when on three minutes later Ian Zammit's free kick was parried by goalie Parnis and from the rebound Florent Raimy made no mistake to give Mosta the lead.  On 38 minutes Xewkija Tigers went close when a direct free kick by Kiril Dyakov was saved with difficulty in a corner by goalie Zammit and two minutes later Zammit saved his side when he deflected with difficulty an angled free kick by Chris Camilleri.

Xewkija opened the second half on a much more aggressive note, trying to level the matters.  On 53 minutes a shot by Chris Camilleri ended just wide, with Mosta's reaction arriving on 56 minutes when Ian Zammit's shot from outside from the box was saved into a corner by goalie Parnis.  One minute later Mosta increased the lead when a cross from former Marsaxlokk striker Obinna Obiefule found Zakaria Kibona unmarked who beat Parnis without any problems.

Xewkija were now demoralized and with Mosta closing the all the spaces with great attention, the Tigers found it hard to create any danger.  However on 79 minutes a cross from the left by Joseph Cefai found John Camilleri's head, whose effort ended high.  Two minutes from time, Mosta could have scored their fourth goal of the game but Kibona's shot was deflected into a corner by goalie Parnis.

Photos by Reno Rapa - (www.onerapa.com)

Match Highlights - TVM (Programme: Kontrattak)

Last Updated ( Monday, 30 January 2012 17:38 )