360Sports Malta Premier
Birkirkara…………….1
Mosta…………………0
Scorer: Maia 44′
Venue: Tony Bezzina Stadium
Referee: Glen Tonna
Missed Penalty: Maia (B) 66’
Birkirkara reignited their bid for a top-two finish with a narrow but important 1-0 win over Mosta at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, thanks to a first-half strike from league top scorer Maxuell Maia.
The Stripes move up to 22 points — now just three behind leaders Marsaxlokk and one adrift of second-placed Sliema — as the race at the top tightens with just a few matches remaining.
Mosta, who remain sixth in the table, put in a spirited display but were left ruing missed chances and a lack of cutting edge in the final third, despite another solid showing from goalkeeper Ngoubi Demba.
The Blues came out on the front foot and nearly took the lead on 14 minutes when Sunday Okereke teed up Prince Afriyie, whose turn and shot flew just over the bar. Moments later, Okereke threatened again with a header that sailed over.
Birkirkara began to settle and created their first clear opportunity through Nathan Cross, who laid the ball off to Maia, but the striker’s shot on the turn rolled just wide.
The match grew into a physical, scrappy affair as chances dried up until the 39th minute. Paul Mbong burst forward and fired a shot that was brilliantly parried away by Demba. Soon after, Kemar Reid set up Manuel Morello, who found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
However, Birkirkara made their breakthrough just before half-time. Morello, lively on the flank, delivered a low ball across the face of goal and Maia pounced, finishing smartly from close range to give the Stripes a 1-0 lead at the break.
Mosta came out strong in the second half and nearly equalised on 47 minutes, as Goncalves forced Gianluca Volpe into a fingertip save from a curling free-kick.
At the other end, Maia continued to look dangerous, heading narrowly over before earning a penalty in the 66th minute when Shaun Dimech was tripped in the box. But Demba denied him from the spot, diving low to keep his side in the game.
Birkirkara should have sealed the points on 75 minutes when Maia squared for Kemar Reid, but Demba again came to the rescue, pulling off a reflex save from close range.
As Mosta pressed for a late equaliser, Birkirkara remained dangerous on the counter, with Mbong testing Demba once more with an inswinging cross-shot that was tipped over.
In the end, Birkirkara held firm to secure a crucial three points — and keep the pressure on the top two as the title race heats up.
