MOSTA, Malta (Interstat) — Visiting Valletta scored once in each half and defeated Mosta 2-0 at Charles Abela Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, using an early goal from Petar Sekulovic and a second-half strike from Andrea Zammit to secure the result in the competition.

Valletta controlled much of the opening period and took the lead after an early booking. Valletta’s S. Radic was shown a yellow card in the 15th minute, but the visitors remained composed and went ahead four minutes later. Sekulovic scored in the 19th minute, finishing the move that gave Valletta a 1-0 advantage. Sekulovic played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. Mosta struggled to create a clear response before halftime, while Valletta protected its lead and limited the home side’s space in the final third.

The second half brought more changes and another Valletta goal. Valletta’s R. Prsa was booked in the 53rd minute. Valletta then made substitutions in the 62nd and 63rd minutes, reshuffling its attacking shape. Zammit scored in the 63rd minute to double the visitors’ lead at 2-0. Zammit played 73 minutes and scored once before being substituted in the 73rd minute. Mosta turned to its bench with substitutions in the 74th and 75th minutes and again in the 84th minute, but the home side could not pull a goal back. Mosta received yellow cards in the 78th minute and through K. Zammit in the 82nd minute. Valletta made late substitutions in the 84th minute, including S. Radic and J. Azzopardi, as it closed out the match.

Mosta made a series of changes after the second goal. Mosta made substitutions involving Thiaguinho and G. Acheampong in the 74th minute, while N. Frendo and P. Afriyie followed in the 75th minute. Pedro Cacho was involved in a substitution in the 84th minute. Valletta also used its bench, with substitutions involving R. Prsa in the 62nd minute and B. Gomes in the 63rd minute. A. Zammit was substituted in the 73rd minute after his goal. S. Radic and J. Azzopardi were substituted in the 84th minute.

Mosta’s attempts to respond came mostly after the substitutions, but Valletta’s back line held its shape and kept the home side away from the goal. Valletta’s late changes helped slow the tempo, and Mosta’s yellow cards in the closing stages underlined the home side’s frustration as the match moved toward its final minutes.

The result moved Valletta’s competition record to 7-1-1 and its overall record to 7-1-1. Mosta’s competition record is now 3-2-4, and its overall record is also 3-2-4. Valletta has seven wins, one loss and one draw in the competition and across all competitions. Mosta has three wins, two losses and four draws in the competition and across all competitions.

Valletta had won its previous competition match against Sliema and had also beaten Birkirkara and Birzebbuga in earlier competition fixtures. Valletta had additionally beaten Hibernians, Gzira and Zabbar and had drawn with Balzan earlier in the season. Mosta had drawn its previous competition match against Floriana 3-3 and had drawn with Gzira and Birzebbuga earlier in the season. Mosta had also beaten Marsaxlokk FC, Birkirkara, Balzan and Hamrun in earlier competition fixtures.

Valletta is next scheduled to face Hamrun before a trip to Floriana. Mosta is next scheduled to host Hibernians before a trip to Zabbar.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Mosta 1, Valletta 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Valletta with a 72.1 percent probability to win. Valletta had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 2.5.