Birkirkara defeated by Mosta

by Ayrton Galea - 26th July 2011

In the first match of the Mosta Tournament for Birkirkara they were beaten by the organizers, Mosta, who came from behind to win with a score of 2-1.

It was a balanced counter with Mosta having a slight edge over Birkirkara, probably due to the large number of foreigners who are on trial with Birkirkara which resulted in poor communication and team work.

Spanish Goalkeeper Jorge Mora had a very positive outing and the two goals were definitely not his fault. Actually it was his fine saves that denied Mosta from more goals.

We saw a good solid defence formed by two central foreigners who left a very good impression especially the Brazilian who was precise in everything he did. However this was not the case when they were substituted in the half time. In the second half the defence was neither steady nor concentrated and this resulted in Mosta being more dangerous in their attacks.

The midfield department definitely could not function as usual since there were three regular International players missing. Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat and Shaun Bajada were all ruled out injured. However, Gareth Scibberas, Alan Tabone and Leighton had an acceptable performance. The other midfielder, who was a foreigner on trial did not reached the needed level although one must keep in mind that it was his first match for the Club and he was not playing in his preferred role.

In the attacking department, Mr. Patrick Curmi started with Terence Vella and a foreigner who is currently on trial with our club.

First Half

The first half was quite balanced with Birkirkara being the most dangerous although Mosta were solid in the defence department.

12' - Following a quite start, Birkirkara had their fist opportunity when a fine cross from the back found the foreign striker alone, with the Mosta defender had no option than to foul the Birkirkara player. From the freekick, Alan Tabone's effort ended wide.

14' - Birkirkara had another freekick which ended wide.

18' - It was another good cross from the back that was met by Leighton Grech, however Mosta's goalkeeper Debono rescued the danger.

24' - Mosta were awarded a freekick, however it hit the players' wall and was cleared by the Birkirkara defenders.

30' - Leighton Grech made a good run on the wing but his cross was met by no one and ended in a goal kick.

31' - Birkirkara had a golden opportunity when a perfect pass by Gareth Scibberas found Leighton Grech unmarked, but the Mosta goalkeeper averted the danger once again and denied Birkirkara from opening the score.

31' - Mosta tried their luck with a long distance shot which was well saved by Jorge Mora.

45' - A long distance powerful shot ended wide for Andrew Decesare.

The first half ended in a goal less draw.

Second Half

The second half was more exciting as both teams made a bigger effort to open the score. After Birkirkara managed to do exactly this, they had other chances where they could have doubed their lead but they failed to do so. For these lost opportunities, 'The Stripes' paid a sour price as they conceded two soft goals, especially the second one which could have been avoided easily.

46' - Mosta opened well and they won a freekick outside the area. From the freekick, Jorge Mora had to save in style to deny Mosta from opening the score.

49' - Birkirkara took the lead. It was a good run by the Spanish striker who went past a defender, advanced on the wing and crossed in the middle of the box. The goalkeeper anticipated the ball, but his defender almost committed an own goal. The goalkeeper saved the ball, but from the rebound Leighton Grech made no mistake and opened the score.

56' - Alan Tabone serve the Spanish striker who once again hit past a defender, advanced on the wing and his cross found Leighton who served in the middle of the box but the final shot was turned into a corner kick.

60' - Jorge Mora punched the ball into safety following a corner kick for Mosta.

61' - Mosta tried their luck with a long distance shot which ended wide.

63' - Birkirkara had a good opportunity to double their lead when the Mosta defenders failed to communicate, the ball ended at the Spanish striker, who advanced in the box and tried to round the goalkeeper, but the goalkeeper saved well.

71'- Mosta scored the equaliser when their right wing made a good run, rounded the players, advanced into the box and beat Mora with a powerful shot.

74' - Mosta almost took the lead when they hit the crossbar with a fine header, and from the rebound Mora neutralised the danger.

78' - The Spanish striker was in action once again as he made a good run, rounded a defender but his last shot ended wide.

82' - Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to take the lead when from a perfect pass to the Spanish striker, the latter lobbed over the goalkeeper, but his diagonal shot hit the post and ended in a goal kick.

84' - What Birkirkara failed to do, Mosta did. From a fatal short back pass to Jorge Mora, the Mosta striker, took the ball, rounded Mora and slotted the ball into an empty net.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara losing their first match of the tournament despite having an acceptable performance. Birkirkara will be involved once again next Wednesday when they will face Tarxien Rainbows who in the first match beat Vittoriosa with a score of 3-0.

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