Mosta: M. Farrugia, P. Sciriha, R. Newell, M. Spasic, D. Okonkwo, C. Attard (J. Grech), P. Camilleri (R. Deguara), U. Nwoko, P. Vassallo (D. Cuschieri), D. Falzon, I. Chibueze

Sliema W: M. Akanji (M. Camilleri), J. Brincat, A. Muscat, M. Dilello, B. Said (L. Lombardi), D. Debono, D. Doncic, I. Woods, J. Chetcuti, S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic

Referee: A. Zammit. Asst.refs; J. Camilleri, A. Arena 4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorers: D. Doncic (3), S. Giglio, I. Woods (pen), D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: M. Spasic, D. Debono

Red cards: M. Spasic, D. Falzon

Player of match: D. Bogdanovic (Sliema W)

TMI top three; 1. D. Bogdanovic 2. D. Doncic 3.P. Camilleri

Sliema Wanderers won their second league match, as expected, against promoted side Mosta with plenty to spare.

Displaying superior skills throughout and plenty of network, the Wanderers never looked in danger of dropping any points, but Mosta gave a good account of themselves for a whole hour.

By that time they were already two goals down and one man less, but had shown some fighting spirit that confirms their tactical organisation and enthusiasm despite the lack of classy individuals.

But the second dismissal of Falzon, one of their best on show, killed all their hopes and they finally were knocked off the canvas by heavyweight opponents, suffering a late goal deluge.

Both coaches made two changes from the sides which saw them both win in their first outing. Mosta had Agius and Bilocca missing while Sliema had Chetcuti and Giglio back in the starting line-up with Turner and Anonam sitting on the bench

The first half, with some open and flowing football from both sides, was good to watch.

Mosta were equal to their more experienced opponents for the first quarter hour and after ten minutes the Sliema keeper Akanji had to stretch himself to clasp Falzon’s long shot from the left after Sciriha’s free-kick was cleared by the Sliema defence.

On 15 minutes Sliema forged ahead. Dilello’s through ball beat Sciriha, came to the unmarked Bogadonovic, whose first effort was blocked by the Mosta keeper, but he crossed the loose ball for Danilo Doncic to tap in.

The goal sapped Mosta’s brittle confidence and Sliema began to control the game. Sciriha was at pains to control Bogdanovic’s runs down the flank.

The Sliema striker’s shot on the turn, on Giglio’s cross, was saved by the outstretched keeper Farrugia.

Midway through the half, the Mosta defence failed to clear Brincat’s sailing free-kick and Said stooped low to head against the foot of the post.

Dyson Falzon was equally effective for Mosta on the right flank. On 27 minutes he went past defender Muscat but his shot from a closed angle posed no real threat for Akanji.

On the half hour, Mosta suffered another setback as their central defender Spasic was sent off for a second bookable offence, as he tried to stop Bogdanovic’s incursion.

Brincat’s free-kick rebounded off the Sliema wall and fell to Doncic whose low shot was blocked by Farrugia.

Mosta showed their best during a ten-minute spell before half-time. Efforts by Vassallo and Nwoko went narrowly wide.

But Sliema could have doubled their lead five minutes from the break. Bogadanovic put Woods clear, but with Doncic unattended by his side, the Malta international tried to beat the goalkeeper, who saved into a corner. Dilello headed the ensuing flag-kick against the bar.

Mosta went close soon after the change of ends when Falzon again beat Muscat on the left, exchanged the leather with Chibueze and sent a diagonal low shot tantalisngly wide.

Having spurned that chance, Mosta were punished when conceding the second goal on 50 minutes. Stefan Giglio controlled Woods’ pass from the left and drilled a low shot from the edge of the area past the keeper.

And to add to Mosta’s woes, Falzon marred a good display by being sent off as well six minutes later for a crude tackle on Muscat.

Playing with nine men, Mosta stood no chance against the superior class of their opponents, who although playing with training-spin easiness and rested keeper Akanji and defender Said, still looked dominant.

Sliema added their third on the hour after Attard tripped Brincat in the area and Ivan Woods tucked away the penalty.

Mosta’s defensive nerves proved flimsy in the late stages as they succumbed to three more Sliema goals. Daniel Bogdanovic crowned a good performance with a goal on 82 minutes, after good work by Doncic and the latter himself notched a hat-trick with another two well taken goals, five minutes from the end, finishing off inviting crosses from Muscat and Bogdanovic respectively.