Sliema Wanderers fend off Birkirkara’s late rally to reach Jubilee Cup quarter-finals

Sliema Wanderers broke little sweat to see off Birkirkara and reach the quarter-finals of the Jubilee Cup.

Sliema Wanderers were in total control in the first half against Birkirkara as they scored three goals without reply, as the Stripes never got going.

The Wanderers took the lead after 13 minutes when Myles Beerman advanced from the left flank and his low cross was stepped home by Sulehmana Bah.

Birkirkara tried to fight back, but they seemed to lack the cutting edge to threaten the Sliema goal.

Instead, it was Sliema who almost doubled their lead on 31 minutes. Bah embarked on a surging run before pulling the goal back into the path of Roko Prsa but the Croatian midfielder fired wide.

Birkirkara failed to heed that warning as four minutes later, Sliema doubled their lead.

Steve Pisani picked the unmarked Bah inside the area, and the nippy forward headed the ball past Matthew Grech.

There was more misery for Birkirkara as five minutes from the break, Neil Frendo saw his volley blocked by the arm of Cordova, but referee Ezekiel Barbara waved play on.

Here, Sliema coach Paul Zammit asked the fourth official to review the incident and the referee, after watching the footage on the Football Video Support, ordered a penalty.

Henrique Murillo stepped up and drilled the ball past Grech.

Birkirkara finally threatened on 51 minutes when Abubakar Ansah saw his low drive flash past the upright.

Plut could have put the game completely to bed on 65 minutes when he turned past goalkeeper Grech but fired wide from a close angle.

Sliema seemed to lose their focus in the final stages when they conceded two goals.

First it was Kaiden Fenech who pulled a goal back on 89 minutes before Kemar Reid netted a second goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

But it was too little too late as Sliema held on to the win.