Sliema’s Paltemio Barbetti (right) launches an attack against Mosta yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant FournierSliema’s Paltemio Barbetti (right) launches an attack against Mosta yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Sliema Wanderers 4
Bajada 63; B. Muscat 68; Ohawuchi 89; Kokavessis 90;
Mosta 1
Bezzina 28;

Mosta looked on their way to gain their first win in the Championship Pool after leading Sliema Wanderers at half-time and playing with such confidence that belied their status as the wooden-spoonists.

Yet they fell apart in the second half as Sliema seized control, scoring four goals in the space of 22 minutes to turn the tables over their opponents.

This was a victory born out of Sliema’s philosophy and com-mitment to attack, which helped them achieve their ultimate aim, a berth in next season’s Europa League qualifiers.

It also ensured a perfect end to a positive season under the amiable Italian mentor Alfonso Greco, moving level on points with third-placed Valletta, albeit the outgoing champions have a game in hand.

No doubt, if the Wanderers manage to keep hold of the likes of Stefano Bianciardi, Matias Muchiardi and Paltemio Barbetti and bring in some reinforcements, they could well challenge for the championship next season.

Mosta mentor Danilo Doncic opted to rotate his goalkeepers as Noel Attarrd started ahead of Jeffrey Farrugia.

Alain Faccini was given a rare start for Sliema as Greco chose to leave out Matias Muchardi, Shawn Bajada and Luigi Ruggiero.

The match offered little in terms of excitement early on as it was characterised by niggly fouls and misplaced passes with goalscoring chances few and far between.

On 15 minutes Faccini’s effort lacked power to trouble Attard but minutes later Alex Cini came to Mosta’s rescue when he cleared off the line Alex Muscat’s shot.

Mosta finally threatened soon after when Manolito Micallef hit a low effort that was well blocked by Glenn Zammit.

Mosta midfielder Fabio Vignaroli began to cause Sliema problems, particulary down the right and it was his break that led to Mosta’s opener after 28 minutes.

Steve Bezzina was on hand to demostrate a clinical touch, thumping home a header from the Italian midfielder’s cross.

Sliema midfielder Mark Scerri was forced to leave the pitch as he felt the effect of a Ryan Grech’s challenge with Bajada coming on as his replacement after 38 minutes.

Mosta had conceded 68 goals in previous games this season and that record provided encouragement to a revitalised Sliema side after the break.

The Wanderers thought they were level when Ruggiero, who had just replaced Faccini, outwitted Mosta right-back Cini but failed to square the ball for the unmarked Ohawuchi after 57 minutes.

Jonathan Bajada, a handful to Sliema all night, found space on the left flank, sidestepped Clifford Gatt Baldacchino but his effort was repelled by Zammit.

Yet on 63 minutes, Paltemio Barbetti squared for Bajada and from 25 metres, the former Valletta midfielder took one touch before beating Attard in the Mosta goal with a precise dipping shot.

Five minutes later, Alex Muscat collected the ball on the left wing and pick Ohawuchi whose header was pushed away by Attard but Beppe Muscat was on hand to head the ball home.

Sliema kept up the pressure and a minute from time Ohawuchi showed great vision to race through Ruggiero’s pass and beat Attard with ease.

Seconds later the Wnaderers wrapped up the points when Ferdinando Apap could only divert Dylan Kokavessis’s attempt into his own net.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, A. Muscat-7, S. Ohawuchi-6.5, P. Barbetti-5.5, J. Mintoff-5, M. Scerri-5 (38 S. Bajada-6.5), C. Gatt Baldacchino-5 (66 D. Kokavessis-6), A. Faccini-5 (52 L. Ruggiero-6), J. Mifsud-5, B. Muscat-6, S. Bianciardi-6.

Mosta
N. Attard-5, F. Apap-5, T. Farrugia-5, B. Agius-5 (54 K. Zammit-4) (83 A. Farrugia), M. Micallef-6, S. Bezzina-6, R. Grech-5, J. Bajada-6 (73 S. Kehinde), K. Magro-6, A. Cini-4.5, F. Vignaroli-5.5.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Mintoff; Cini; S.Bajada; Magro; Kehinde.

BOV player of the match: Alex Muscat (Sliema Wanderers).

  P W D L F A Pts
Birkirkara 31 18 9 4 61 22 42
Hibernians 31 20 4 7 70 33 42
Valletta 31 17 8 6 69 27 36
Sliema 32 16 6 10 48 32 36
Tarxien 31 14 6 11 53 50 29
Mosta 32 11 2 19 45 72 18
               
Floriana (-2) 32 14 10 8 48 38 38
Qormi 32 15 4 13 61 50 34
Balzan 32 9 9 14 48 61 23
Rabat Ajax 32 6 9 17 38 60 22
Ħamrun (-1) 31 6 5 20 36 83 14
Melita 31 3 8 20 26 75 10

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