SLIEMA WANDERERS-4, VITTORIOSA STARS-3
Sliema Wanderers scored twice in stoppage time to edge out Vittoriosa Stars in a thrilling match at the Hibs Stadium.
Vittoriosa looked to be heading to victory after Anthony Ewurum put them 3-2 in front with 16 minutes to go but the sending-off of Brazilian forward Edison two minutes later hampered the Stars who were pegged back by the Wanderers.
Despite their numerical advantage, Sliema struggled to break down Vittoriosa’s defence but their late efforts paid off in dramatic fashion as the Blues hit two goals in injury time to gain a much-needed win.
Sliema had enjoyed the better start to the game. Josef Mifsud volleyed just wide after Vittoriosa Stars had partially cleared Jackson Lima’s free-kick and, on 10 minutes, Vittoriosa goalkeeper Simon Agius denied his former team when pushing away Miguel Ciantar’s penalty-box strike.
The Wanderers’ early pressure produced a breakthrough after 18 minutes. Debutant striker Chakib Lachkhem recovered possession in midfield and delivered a perfect through-pass to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who surged forward. With the Vittoriosa defence caught off balance, Mifsud Triganza passed to the unmarked Jackson Lima who fired past Agius.
Hardly a minute from Jackson Lima’s goal had passed when Sliema increased their advantage. Lachkhem made an instant mark on his debut as he scored Sliema’s second goal with a well-hit volley from an angled position.
Sliema’s two-goal burst shook Vittoriosa but they received a boost on 29 minutes. Brazilian forward Edison won a penalty after being tripped by Clayton Failla in the box. Edison put away the penalty to put Vittoriosa back in the game.
Heartened by their goal, Vittoriosa improved. Their efforts yielded an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Brazilian forward Jorge beat Sliema goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri with a swerving free-kick from just outside the box.
The second half was only 30 seconds old when Vittoriosa’s Jorge ran through before dragging the ball back to Edison whose central effort was pushed away by Viktor Szentpeteri.
At the other end, Lachkhem, a dynamic figure in Sliema’s attack, was denied by Agius who kept out his firm drive and, moments later, flicked wide after bursting through the Vittoriosa defence.
Seven minutes from time, Sliema would have regained the lead but for a fine save from Agius who palmed away Jackson Lima’s screamer after Lachkhem had unsettled the Vittoriosa defence with a powerful run into the box.
Vittoriosa made the most of Agius’s intervention as they struck on the counter. Edison started the move with a run through the middle before passing to Jorge who crossed for Anthony Ewurum to fire home.
Edison marred his good performance 14 minutes from time as he was red-carded for two bookable offences.
Down to 10 men, Vittoriosa switched to defensive mode as they looked to preserve their one-goal lead. The Stars looked to have accomplished their mission as the game moved into stoppage time but Sliema stunned them with two late goals.
Mifsud Triganza made it 3-3 when heading home from Josef Mifsud’s cross three minutes into stoppage time and moments later, Lachkhem hit Sliema’s dramatic winner with a close-range drive after receiving from Mifsud Triganza.