Sliema beat Mosta to seal third spot

SLIEMA WANDERERS 3

Plut 8; Acheampong 58

Bastos 83

MOSTA 1

Brincat 26

SLIEMA

K. Emeka, J. Borg, H. Freire, A. Magri Overend, M. Beerman (86 J. Belfiore), G. Alcino, G. Acheampong, S. Zibo (69 N. Frendo), Wescley (86 N. Strickland), M. Awad (76 R. da Silva), V. Plut (69 J. Bastos).

MOSTA

D. Akpan, P. Afriyie, S. Cachia, L. Coulibaly (80 S. Chiemezie), G. Goncalves, C. Failla (63 J. Azeez), N. Agius, S. Okereke, J. Teixeira, J. Vassallo (63 R. Caruana), Z. Brincat (63 B. Farrugia).

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara.

Yellow card: Cachia.

Two late goals helped Sliema clinch the third place in the Opening Round of the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over Mosta in a thrilling match.

Vito Plut gave Sliema the perfect start, putting them in the lead after just eight minutes with a well-struck header over Daniel Udoh Akpan.

The Slovenian striker was on the end of a trademark cross by Geoffrey Acheampong, to arch his header over the Mosta goalkeeper.

Sliema’s joy did not last long though and Zachary Brincat’s clinical strike on 26 minutes put Mosta back in the game.

Sliema goalkeeper Kelvin Agu could not hold Prince Afriyie’s low drive.

Latching onto the goalkeeper’s poor clearance, the Maltese striker stoke the ball home.

On 53 minutes, Acheampong illegally ended Afriyie’s first serious venture towards the Sliema area in the second half.

The freekick was awarded on the right in perfect Clayton Failla’s territory and the former Malta player produced a left-foot strike that was pushed around the post by Agu.

Sliema decided to heed the warning and started playing with renewed confidence.

After 55 minutes, Myles Beerman opened his body and tried to place his shot inside the near post but Akpan saved with his feet.

From the ensuing corner, the lively Adam Magri Overend found room down the right and his clever pull back was met by Acheampong who arched the ball away from Akpan’s despairing dive.

Sliema had plenty of chances to extend their lead further with Sacha Cachia almost committed an own goal when diverting Magri Overend’s cross onto the post.

Yet six minutes from time, substitute Jonata Bastos well placed on the far post, put the game beyond reach with the simplest of the touches.