Maxuell Maia notched a late winner for Birkirkara as the Stripes registered a fifth consecutive win, defeating Mosta 1-0 in an entertaining clash at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday, to make sure of retaining sole leadership in the 360Sports Malta Premier.
It was a balanced encounter with the Blues giving a very good account of themselves and they could consider themselves unlucky to leave the stadium empty-handed.
Mosta had two changes as Richard Luca and Zachary Brincat were preferred to Souleymane Kone and Chisom Sunday Okereke. Stefano De Angelis, on the other hand, named an unchanged side for Birkirkara
The Blues went close on 12 minutes with a cross by Leo Fernandes from the right which was deflected by Leandro Lacunza into a corner as Joshua Agyemang failed to intercept and nine minutes later, Prince Afriyie had a powerful shot from outside the area blocked by goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe. On 34 minutes, Nathan Agius sent Richard Luca through on the right but the Birkirkara goalkeeper blocked the attempt.
Five minutes from the end of the first half, Maxuell Maia took advantage of an erratic clearance by a defender and rounded another defender but hit wide. A minute later, Leo Fernandes exchanged the ball with Richard Luca before trying his luck with a diagonal shot ending just wide.
Six minutes in the second half, Prince Afriyie sent Zachary Brincat through but his conclusion ended just over the bar. Birkirkara replied with an Alessandro Coppola header on 67 minutes ending over the bar. Two minutes later, a diagonal shot by Leandro Lacunza from the right ended just wide. Substitute Souleymane Kone went close for Mosta with a fine curling shot from the left which scraped past the post on 74 minutes.
Three minutes from time, Birkirkara notched the winner when off a Maicon corner from the right, Maxuell Samurai headed the ball home past goalkeeper Akpan.
In added time, Mosta tried hard to equalise with Leo Fernandes having three attempts neutralised by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
