Mosta 1
Sliema W. 2
Mosta: A. Vella, A. De Cerchio, K. Hirose, R. De Oliveira, M. Sammartino, D. Xuereb (J. Brincat 76), T. Farrugia, Z. Brincat (K. Zammit 88), J. Cisotti, R. Romeu (K. Frendo 65), F. Mazzavillani
Sliema W.: J. Galea, M. Mucciardi, J. Mintoff (M. Sansone 45), M. Scerri, J. De Assis (CE Alba Olivares), R. Fenech, F. Temile, S. Cassar (K. Shaw 74), C. Pani, G. Adamovic, S. Biancardi
Referee: T. G. Owen (Wales)
Asst refs: A. J. Davis, HG Hendricks
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: R. De Oliveira 3, M. Scerri 12, J. De Assis 69 pen
Yellow cards: D. Xuereb 53, G. Adamovic 71, A. De Cerchio 73, R. Fenech 81
Player of the match: J. De Assis
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Mucciardi, 2. J. De Assis, 3. J. Cisotti
Sliema Wanderers moved back to second place, three points behind leaders Gzira, after coming from behind to beat a gallant Mosta side by the odd goal in three.
De Oliveira gave Mosta an early lead, but that was cancelled by a Mark Scerri strike. Jefferson De Assis scored Sliema's winner in the second half, although he went on to miss a penalty which could have avoided the Wanderers an anxious finish.
It was however, a deserved victory for the Wanderers who created the better scoring chances as well as having the major share of possession, but credit must also be given to Mosta who fought gallantly throughout.
Mosta took an early lead, but the Wanderers replied soon after and from then on, it was mostly balanced with Sliema enjoying slight superiority in midfield.
Sliema were definitely the better team in the second half and richly merited the lead from the first penalty which De Assis scored convincingly. It proved to be the winner.
Mosta opened the scoring on the 3rd minute. In a fast break, Cisotti advanced into the Sliema area on the right flank and crossed low for Renan De Oliveira to tap the ball home from close in.
Sliema equalised in the 12th minute when a De Assis shot was blocked by a Mosta defender. The ball went straight to Mark Scerri whose shot went straight into the net, despite the efforts of two Mosta defenders to clear from over the line.
Three minutes later, De Assis again tried his luck from the angle, but the shot went wide.
On the 19th minute, Mosta went close when from a De Cerchio cornerkick, Romeu headed wide from an excellent position.
Sliema replied with a fine move in the 35th minute. Ryan Fenech passed to Mintoff on the right; the latter passed on to Mucciardi whose first timer from the edge of the area went just wide.
On 39 minutes, De Assis went past his direct opponent, but his shot was excellently turned to corner by goalie Andreas Vella.
On 54 minutes, Sliema went close to taking the lead when De Assis dribbled round goalie Vella, but his shot was cleared from over the line by Tyrone Farrugia and was then cleared to corner by another defender.
In the 65th minute, Mosta lost the services of Romeu who was injured and had to be stretchered off the field with a dislocated shoulder.
Moments later, Sliema again threatened through Temile, but his hard shot was turned to corner by Vella. From the cornerkick, De Oliveira was deemed to have fouled Pani in the area and the Welsh official awarded Sliema a penalty from which Jefferson de Assis made no mistake to give his side the lead.
In the 81st minute, Sliema had a great chance to make sure of the three points when off a Ryan Fenech freekick, Tyrone Farrugia appeared to have handled the ball in the area. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot, but this time, De Assis kicked the ball wildly over the bar.
In the 90th minute, from a De Assis cross, Temile had two close range shots blocked by goalie Vella.
In added time, Mosta threatened to draw level through a De Oliveira shot which Jake Galea did well to turn to corner.
Despite Mosta's late pressure, Sliema held on to gain a precious three points.