Sliema Wanderers pile up further misery with Mosta defeat

SLIEMA W.     2         

Berisha 70’, og Agius 79’

MOSTA                       3         

Donkin 38’, Riascos 74’, Sciberras 83’

SLIEMA: T. Aquilina-5.5, P. Morales-5.5, K. Shaw-6, G. Aquilina-5.5 (51 M. Fernandes), O. Elouni-5.5, G. Inters-6, E. Agius-5.5 (68 C. Flores), J. Engerer-6 (68 M. Beerman), Y. Uchida-6 (69 M. Scerri, 87 J. Farrugia), J. Bliek-5.5, V. Berisha-6.

MOSTA: M. Jovicic-6, R. Briffa-6, W. Donkin-6.5 (76 M. Hetemaj), C. Failla-6.5, J. Bezzina-5.5 (76 G. Sciberras), T. Farrugia, I. Doric-5.5 (51 N. Agius), L. Riascos-6, R. Morisco-6, Z. Brincat-6 (62 L. Igbineweka), S. Akinbule-5.5.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Yellow Cards: Y. Uchida, M. Fernandes, T. Aquilina, L. Igbineweka

Red Cards: T. Farrugia (Mosta) 71.

BOV Player of the Match: William Donkin (Mosta).

Despite ending in ten men, Mosta claimed three important points in the basement clash against Sliema Wanderers at the Centenary Stadium, beating them by the odd goal in five.

This was a win that enables Mosta to join Gzira United on the 9-point mark, now lying two points ahead of Gudja United and three ahead of Santa Lucia. The Wanderers, on the other hand, remain anchored at the bottom of the table with four points.

Although there were few goal-scoring opportunities during the first half, it was quite entertaining but the best was to come, with no less than four goals scored, in the final twenty minutes.

Sliema coach Andrea Pisanu could not count on the suspended Danny Holla and Dejan Vukovic while Raphael Kooh Sohna did not feature in the squad, as he handed Edmond Agius, Omar Elouni, and Jake Engerer a place in the starting line-up. Mosta, on the other hand, had William Donkin and Johann Bezzina replacing Mehdi Hetemaj and Jonas Rodriguez Ekani.

The Wanderers went close to taking the lead after just two minutes with a Gui Inters effort from the edge of the area which just missed the target. Sliema threatened once again on the half-hour with a low shot by Jake Engerer which was parried by Jovicic.

However, on 38 minutes, Mosta took the lead. Zachary Brincat advanced on the left before serving William Donkin who rounded a defender and hit low past Timothy Aquilina.

On the restart, the Wanderers went in search of the equaliser, going close with a Kurt Shaw header on 58 minutes but four minutes later, Mosta almost doubled the score through Luiz Igbineweka but the latter hit incredibly wide when all alone in front of the goalkeeper. Sliema replied with an Inters effort which was turned into a corner by Jovicic on 64 minutes.

Six minutes later, Sliema levelled matters. Carlos Flores delivered a cross from the left and Valmir Berisha’s first-time effort gave the Mosta goalkeeper no chance.

Just after the goal, Tyrone Farrugia was sent off for Mosta following an argument with an opponent.

However, Mosta regained the lead four minutes later thanks to Luis Riascos who hit home from close range following a freekick by Clayton Failla from the right.

Sliema restored equilibrium on 79 minutes. Substitute Mark Scerri’s effort from outside the area was deflected by substitute Nathan Agius past goalkeeper Jovicic for an unfortunate own goal.

But it was not over yet as seven minutes from time, off another cross by Clayton Failla from the left, Gianluca Sciberras beat Timothy Aquilina with a great first-time effort to make it 3-2 and hand Mosta the three points.