Mosta 0
Sliema W. 2
Mosta: J. Haber, A. Cini, M. Micallef, S. Chiemeka (O. Zongo), R. Grech, J. Bajada (W. Chetcuti), D. Mitev, F. Aboulezz (K. Zammit), C. Campagnoli, D. Bogdanovic, O. Obiefule
Sliema W: H. Bonello (G. Zammit), A. Muscat (A. Decesare),. L. Martinelli, P. Barbetti, M. Scerri (J. Mifsud), L. Ruggiero, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods, A. Laudisi, B. Muscat, S. Biancardi
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, S. Attard
4th official: A. M. Sant
Scorers: A. Laudisi 39, J. Mifsud 81
Yellow cards: R. Grech, J. Haber, J. Bajada, L. Martinelli, A. Cini, L. Ruggiero
Player of the match: L. Ruggiero (Sliema W)
TMI top 3: 1. L. Ruggiero 2. P. Barbetti 3. J. Bajada
Attendance: 380
A good collective effort, producing a high workrate, enabled Sliema Wanderers to clinch an important win that sees them turn a leaf after two consecutive defeats against Floriana and Tarxien Rainbows and their unexpected elimination from the FA Trophy by Zebbug Rangers.
They now climb one point above the same Mosta, into fifth place, trailing Tarxien by one point in the standings with renewed belief of making it into the Championship Pool.
Mosta, who yesterday were only a pale shadow of the team that beat Valletta in the last league match, struggled to produce anything noteworthy in the first half and although they improved slightly in the second, they remained almost second best throughout. They now slide to sixth place in the standings.
Mosta might have been handicapped by the suspensions of Luke Dimech and Bryan Agius, as well as the not fully fit Steve Bezzina. Carlos Campagnoli played as centre back alongside Chiemeka, with Alex Cini starting as left back. Zongo was named among the substitutes, with Aboulezz and Mitev given the nod.
Sliema welcomed back keeper Henry Bonello and midfielder Mark Scerri from suspension. But there was no place for Muchardi and Miguel Ciantar in their starting line-up, as John Mintoff was out injured.
Bonello played only for 23 minutes as he fell awkwardly while handling a high ball, probably aggravated a recurring ankle injury, and had to be substituted.
Defender Alex Muscat also suffered an early knock and limped off on the half hour.
The opening minutes were almost completely devoid of distinction, without any hope of a spectacle.
Sliema produced the first goalscoring opportunity after 26 minutes. A Barbetti free kick was headed firmly towards goal by Biancardi but keeper Haber tipped the ball over the bar into a corner.
Mitev was the first to test Sliema’s reserve keeper Zammit with a grounder until the Wanderers took the lead on 39 minutes.
Ruggiero played an intelligent pass for Ariel Laudisi to dart in and hit past the helpless keeper Haber.
Mosta’s reaction came from a Bajada cross from the left which was completely missed by all and sundry.
They started the second half in some better form, but they remained second best throughout as they were often forced back by the incursions of Ruggiero through the middle, carving several openings for Woods to exploit. Sliema’s second goal failed to come though.
Mosta kept probing for an equaliser, and although hardly penetrative, they were not without their opportunities. On 71 minutes Bogdanovic skied the ball that fell into his path in front of goal. And five minutes later, Obiefule forced keeper Zammit into an improvised save with a close range effort on Bajada’s cross from the right.
But with Mosta running out of ideas, Sliema hit the fatal blow with ten minutes remaining. Barbetti played a free kick from the right and susbtitute Josef Mifsud beat keeper Haber from inside the area with a defiant strike on the turn.
That made the points safe for the Wanderers.