Prsa’s strike lifts Wanderers past Żabbar SP

Sliema Wanderers opened their commitments in the Closing Round in the best possible way when they overcame the challenge of Żabbar St Patrick at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Roko Prsa turned out to be Sliema’s match winner with a fine individualistic strike that earned them all three points and injected a much-needed dose of confidence in the club, which had struggled to leave its mark in the Opening Round.

Żabbar did try to pose a strong challenge but did not have the guile to upset their more-quoted opponents and they need to improve if they are to challenge for a Top Six berth.

As expected, it was Sliema Wanderers who dominated proceedings for much of the opening 45 minutes as Żabbar St Patrick were happy to soak up the pressure and try to hit their opponents with quick transitions.

Luke Montebello was very lively in the opening minutes, and after 15 minutes, he was picked on the right flank. After creating space for himself, he hit a low drive that whizzed past the upright.

A minute later, Montebello turned out provider as he picked the sprinting Roko Prsa, but the former Ħamrun Spartans midfielder headed over from inside the area.

From then on, the match lost much of its intensity with scoring chances a rarity as both teams were cancelling each other.

We had to wait for the 43rd minute for the next scoring opportunity when Brazilian midfielder Wescley charged forward and hit a low drive that was well picked by Żabbar goalkeeper Colombo.

Colombo came to his side’s rescue on 59 minutes when he showed great reflexes to push over Sulahmana Bah’s rising shot.

Żabbar coach Aniello Parisi was forced to make his first change on the hour mark, when he lost Mayron to injury and was replaced by Nicholas Agius.

Sliema were in desperate need of a moment of brilliance to break the stalemate and it was Prsa who provided it on 71 minutes.

The Croatian midfielder was played through inside the area by Vito Plut and his his cross-shot surprised goalkeeper Colombo, with the ball hitting the upright before finishing into the back of the net.