YoHealth Malta Premier 25/26 – MD13 – Bottom 6
Mosta……1
Żabbar…..1
Żabbar St Patrick and Mosta earned one point each following a balanced match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, with the result keeping both sides clear of the relegation places. The draw leaves the two teams level on points and six points above the relegation zone.
The match unfolded in two contrasting halves. Żabbar St Patrick controlled the opening period, while Mosta showed greater attacking intent after the interval to secure a valuable equaliser.
Żabbar enjoyed the better of the first half and dominated possession against a Mosta side that struggled to create clear chances. The Saints produced the first opportunity after 15 minutes when Vinicius de Pavia broke into the penalty area from the left and struck a powerful effort that forced a sharp save from Mosta goalkeeper David Akpan.
The early pressure paid off soon after. From a corner, Mosta failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Jurgen Pisani, who struck a firm volley that found the top corner via the underside of the crossbar.
Żabbar continued to push forward and came close to extending their lead. Nicholas Agius delivered an accurate cross for Santiago Cejas, whose diving header drifted narrowly wide. Moments later, Isaac Etim Akpan drove into the area and saw his angled shot strike the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
The pattern remained similar at the start of the second half. Within the opening minute, Cejas moved past his marker and fired in a rising shot that was tipped over the bar by Akpan.
Mosta gradually grew into the match and found an equaliser on 52 minutes. Simon Zibo struck a powerful low drive from outside the area that beat Żabbar goalkeeper Jonathan Grech to bring his side back on level terms.
The goal lifted Mosta, who pressed for a winner in the closing stages. Giancarlo Goncalves broke clear on 75 minutes but sent his low effort just wide of the post. In stoppage time, Mosta came close to taking all three points when substitute Sekhou Almamy directed a header towards goal, only for Strahinja Jovancic to clear the ball off the line.
The final whistle confirmed a draw that reflected the balance of play, with both Żabbar St Patrick and Mosta taking a point from an evenly contested encounter.
