Mosta 0

Sliema W 1

APS Bank U-15 Section A

The Sliema youngsters deserved the verdict as they were the better outfit by creating more occasions than Mosta as they enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges in the first period, while the second half was a balanced affair. Sliema are now in fifth placing on 18 points from 11 games while Mosta lie in ninth place on 14 points also from 11 games.

Mosta were the first to threaten in the third minute when Kyle Frendo served Luke Galea with a through ball and Sliema keeper Michael Cluett had to come out of his charge to clear the ball upfield.

In Sliema’s first attack in the seventh minute, they opened the score. Dale Micallef floated a perfect freekick in the area and Paolo Dandolo scored with a low shot past Mosta keeper Manuel Borg.

Encouraged by such an early lead, Sliema then mounted two attacks in a row. Justin Pisani released Liam Ciantar on the left flank who then crossed for Dandolo to hit slightly over the bar and Jan Muscat served Dandolo on the right flank and Borg neutralised the ball from the latter’s cross.

Mosta then threatened again twice in succession. Kurt Zammit served Luke Galea in the area but the ball was blocked and cleared. Then Kyle Frendo was fouled outside the area and Cluett saved the free kick by Zammit.

The last actions before the break were all created by Sliema. Chircop served Dandolo in the area, Borg partly saved his effort and he turned the ball to a corner from the rebound by Chircop. Later from a Dandolo cross the ball finally went to Jan Muscat who headed goalwards but Borg denied him with a fine diving save to a corner.

After the restart, Sliema went close through Luke Galea who just missed the upright. Frendo was then fouled outside the area and the ball sailed over Sliema’s bar from the free kick taken by the same player.

Sliema then regained the initiative as they mounted three actions in a row. Justin Pisani served substitute Karl David Farrugia on the left flank and Borg neutralised the ball from his cross.

In their next attack in the 54th minute they were denied by the woodwork as Gabriel Aquilina pounced on a loose ball just outside Mosta’s area and the ball thumped the bar from his rising shot with Borg beaten.

Micallef then served substitute Ismael Buttigieg in the area but Borg dived at his feet to smother the ball.

Referee: Craig Buxton

Player of the match: Justin Pisani (Sliema W)