Sliema Wanderers 0 Mosta 2

Steve D’Amatos’s side illuminated the opening exchanges with a virtuoso display of pace and movement that left Sliema devoid of any meaningful possession in the opening minutes.

In the 12th minute Daniel Bogdanovic drove infield from the right flank before sending in a cross, which invited Obinna Obiefule to dive in and poke the ball home.

The Wanderers finally posed a threat when Mosta goalkeeper Justin Haber was forced to plunge bravely at the feet of Faccini in Sliema’s first serious moment of danger in the 18th minute.

Scoring chances were rare in the opening period and D’Amato threatened to increase their lead when Bogdanovic’s chip was saved by the back-tracking Sliema goalkeeper on the half-hour mark.

Mosta’s formation included five former Wanderers in their starting XI and three of those Sliema old boys were involved in the first noteworthy episode after the break in the 53rd minute. Ryan Grech exchanged the ball with Bogdanovic as the former Blackpool striker advanced on the right before passing to Mitev who evaded the Sliema rearguard but the Bulgarian’s chip was just off target.

On 65 minutes, Sliema’s hopes of another comeback received a boost when Grech was expelled for a second booking.

Nine minutes from time, Sliema thought they had levelled when Faccini’s cross landed at the feet of Mark Scerri but Luke Dimech blocked the Sliema midfielder just in time.

Mosta wrapped up their win one minute from time, Obinna Obiefule advanced unchallenged before hammering a shot past Henry Bonello in a devastating counter-attack.