Żabbar St Patrick emerged victorious in a thrilling eight-goal encounter against Mosta in a match packed with drama and attacking football as both sides battled for vital points near the bottom of the standings.

With Żabbar aiming to move further away from the relegation zone and Mosta seeking to climb from the foot of the table, the game quickly developed into an open and entertaining contest.

Mosta made the brighter start and took the lead after seven minutes when João Vitor set up Prince Chibuzor, who finished from close range to give his side the advantage.

Żabbar responded in style six minutes later as Miguel Bruno Figueiredo struck a superb effort from around 30 metres that flew past the goalkeeper to restore parity.

However, Mosta regained the lead almost immediately. A cross from Leonardo Fernandes caused problems in the area and Portelli reacted quickest to finish from close range.

The Saints continued to push forward and drew level again just before the half-hour mark. After Figueiredo’s powerful shot was blocked, Ariel Gambarte reacted first to the rebound and slotted the ball home.

Żabbar nearly took the lead before the break when Nicholas Agius struck the underside of the crossbar with a powerful effort.

The Saints eventually went ahead early in the second half when substitute In Youngwon found space on the edge of the area and fired a low shot beyond goalkeeper David Akpan.

Żabbar extended their advantage in the 70th minute following a swift counter-attack. Ayom Ayom started the move and Jake Micallef set up Pedro Cejas, whose strike went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Mosta pulled one back three minutes later through Leonardo Fernandes, who cut inside from the right before finding the net with a precise shot.

Any hopes of a comeback were ended in the 83rd minute when Ayom Ayom raced through on goal and calmly finished past Akpan to seal an important victory for Żabbar St Patrick.

Żabbar St Patrick 5
Scorers: Figueiredo 13, Gambarte 29, Youngwon 48, Cejas 70, Ayom 83

Mosta 3
Scorers: Chibuzor 7, Portelli 15, Fernandes 73