Sliema 2

Mosta 0

Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, N. Bogdanovic, J. Mifsud, R. Grech, A. Eyenga, D. Mitev, S. Bezzina (Z. Micallef), C. Gatt Baldacchino, T. Cilia (R. Dalli)(A. Caligari), E. Lattes.

Mosta:  J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, L. Martinelli, A. Cini, J. Bajada, K. Magro, P. Mirceta (S. Grech), I. Zammit, Z. Kibona (T. Vella), O. Obiefule (G. Martin).

Referee:  Glenn Tonna

Ass. refs: Konrad Borg, Sammy Atard

4th Official: Mario Apap

Scorers: E. Lattes 53 min, Eyenga 62 min,

Yellow cards: N. Bogdanovic, K. Magro, I. Zammit, R. Dalli, C. Gatt Baldacchino,

Red card: Ian Zammit 84 min

Player of the match: Daniel Mitev (Sliema Wanderers)

TMI best three: 1. D. Mitev, E. Lattes, A. Eyenga

Sliema Wanderers finished their commitments in the first phase with a more than deserved victory over Mosta thanks to second half goals in a scrappy match. The match was disappointing especially in the first half, as in the second one the level of play improved considerably.

Credit goes to Sliema who had some well executed moves in the second half, thanks to players of the like of Mitev, Lattes and Eyenga, the latter two scoring the decisive goals.

Mosta, who needed the points to improve their position especially for the second phase, were never really in the game. They were weak in all departments and Obiefule failed to give that added value upfront and had to leave to leave the pitch just before the break.

Mosta had Ossok, Raimy and  Tisbi missing, all suspended together with coach Steve D’Amato. Sliema had their problems too with several players missing, suffice to say that they had two goalkeepers, Anthony Curmi and Keane Cutajar on the substitutes’ bench.

The game had a very quiet start with Sliema’s attempt on six minutes with Mitev shooting slightly over the bar. Sliema had some slight territorial superiority but play was rather scrappy from both sets. On 22 minutes Mosta had their first attempt at goal with an Ian Zammit freekick going wide.

Trevor Cilia was a doubtful starter and had to be substituted after only 25 minutes. Two minutes later Ian Zammit passed towards Jonathan Bajada who blasted well over the bar.

On 38 minutes Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and goalkeeper Henry Bonello were caught napping and in nipped Obiefule whose lob went inches wide. However Obiefule limped off before the final whistle.

On the resumption Mitev tested Debono direct from a freekick. On 52 minutes Mitev floated a precise cross towards Eyenga whose header missed the target by a whisker.

But a minute later Sliema took the lead. Alex Muscat pounced on a Debono short clearance and his cross found Lattes who drilled home with a low drive.

Sliema were now on top as Mosta lost their composure and Alex Muscat should have added a second one a minute later but he shot wide.

On the hour Lattes passed towards Mitev who hit the side netting. Sliema wrapped the match on 62 minutes when from a Mitev corner Eyenga rose above friends and foe to head the ball home.

Mosta’s only reaction came through Gilbert Martin who had some good runs.

Sliema could have added further goals with Mosta goalkeeper Debono making a string of god saves off shots from Eyenga, Mitev and Steve Bezzina.

Sliema continued to control the match with relative ease as Mosta were reduced to 10 players six minutes from time when Ian Zammit received a second booking.