Sliema Wanderers see off Mosta to reach Jubilee Cup semi-finals

Officials without Football Video Support as the system suffers a technical problem

Sliema Wanderers needed two second-half goals to see off Mosta and book their place in the semi-finals of the MFA Jubilee Cup.

Fernandinho and Miguel Baggio netted the all-important goals that kept the Wanderers still on course to win this one-off competition after a dominant performance.

However, Mosta will feel hard done by the official’s decision not to disallow Baggio’s goal as Fernandinho played the pass when the ball was out of play. Mosta could not appeal the decision on the Football Video Support as the system did not function for this match.

In the end, Sliema progressed to Wednesday’s semi-final where they will face either Żabbar St Patrick or Żebbuġ Rangers.

Sliema dominated the match throughout with Mosta opting to soak up the pressure and try and surprise their opponents with quick transitions, but with little effect.

The Wanderers threatened first after 16 minutes when Steve Pisani released Vito Plut, who hit a low drive that was pushed away by the Mosta goalkeeper Anse Demba.

Mosta were struggling to make any inroads as scoring chances remained few and far between.

One had to wait until the 38th minute for the next scoring opportunity as Pisani sped inside the area, and his cross was pushed by Demba into the path of Adam Magri Overend, who fired over.

Mosta finally threatened soon after, when from a corner action, Sliema failed to clear, and Matthew Bolanos hit the side netting.

Sliema took just 40 seconds to take the lead when Plut stole possession and immediately played in Fernandinho who kept up his cool to slot past the Mosta goalkeeper.

The Wanderers kept pushing, and on 51 minutes, Plut served Miguel Baggio, who was denied by Demba.

Sliema doubled their lead in somewhat controversial circumstances when Roko Prsa’s delivery from a corner saw the ball pushed by Demba onto the bar, and Fernandinho pushed the ball into the path of Baggio, who fired home.

Mosta were incensed as TV replays showed Fernandinho had played the ball when it was out of play, but with no Football Video Support system available, referee Glen Tonna stood by his decision.

On 67 minutes, Sulehmana Bah almost made an immediate impact when coming as a substitute, but his shot was pushed away by Bah.

In stoppage time, Sliema almost added a third when, from a corner action, Kyrian Nwoko saw his header come off the upright.

But that little mattered as Sliema were long home and dry.