Mosta pegged back by resilient Gudja

MOSTA            2

Tulimieri 20; Morisco 63

GUDJA UNITED            2

Messias 47 pen.; 68 pen.

Mosta were denied victory in their first Premier League outing of the season as the Blues could only manage a 2-2 draw against Gudja United.

Mario Muscat’s side seemed to hold the upperhand over the Southerners and twice managed to go in front.

However, Gudja, now under the charge of Jesmond Zammit, showed impressive resilience as they refused to throw in the towel and twice managed to come from behind courtesy of two excellent penalty executions by Yuri Messias.

Thus, the final stalemate was a fair outcome to an entertaining encounter.

Mosta were in control right from the outset as they bossed their midfield with Gudja trying to hit their opponents with fast-breaks spearheaded by Gabriel Mensah.

The red-shirted Mosta players were enjoying long spells of possession but they needed a moment of magic from their new attacking midfielder Kevin Tulimieri to break the stalemate after 20 minutes.

The Italian, who joined Mosta on loan from Valletta, moved towards the edge of the area and hit a swerving drive that completely surprised Gudja United goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

Mosta almost doubled their lead when on 24 minutes, the Gudja defence failed to clear a cross, the ball fell to Christ Ememe who saw his shot deflected to a corner.

Gudja finally threatened two minutes later when Mensah hit a long-range shot that was saved by Mosta goalkeeper Yves Moto.

Mosta responded 12 minutes from the break when Fabrice Hounpke picked Nixon and the Brazilian striker hit a first-time effort that was blocked by Glenn Zammit.

After the break, Gudja came out with all guns blazing and on 47 minutes they drew level.

Rafael Morisco brought down Yuri Messias inside the area and the Brazilian picked himself up to send Moto the wrong way.

However, Mosta soon rediscovered their poise and they restored their lead on 63 minutes when from a corner action, Rafael Morisco anticipated his marker to head past Zammit.

Gudja refused to lie down and they took just four minutes to level matters again.

Tyrone Farrugia floored Mensah inside the area and Messiah again kept his cool to beat Moto from the spot.

Mensah almost won it for Gudja on 85 minutes but fired wide with only Moto to beat.