Mosta 1
Babangida 57;
Sliema Wanderers 2
Friggieri 71; Obagbemiro 83;
Two inspired substitutions by coach Stephen Azzopardi proved to be the winning card for Sliema who came from a goal down to overcome Mosta yesterday.
The Wanderers looked set for another frustrating afternoon as, despite enjoying the better share of possession, they found themselves trailing to a Haruna Babangida goal early in the second half.
However, Azzopardi’s decision to introduce Aidan Friggieri and new signing Junior Obagbemiro proved decisive as both players went on to score crucial goals which earned the Wanderers their first win in five matches.
Sliema were boosted by the return from suspension of key duo Pedrinho and Mark Scerri who were both restored to the starting formation at the expense of Joseph Borg and Filipo Talato.
Marko Potezica was deployed in central defence in the absence of injured Stefano Bianciardi with schemer Andrea Pisanu given the nod to start in midfield.
Mosta coach Peter Smith was forced to make a last-minute change as Adrian Borg stepped in for Tyrone Farrugia in the heart of defence.
Ryan Grech kept hold of his midfield berth after his one-match ban was overturned by the MFA Appeals Board on Friday night.
Sliema made all the early running. After four minutes, Andrea Scozzese hit a firm drive from the edge of the area but his effort was dealt with expertly by Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg.
Six minutes later, the Wanderers were awarded a free-kick and Pedrinho’s stinging drive flashed past Borg’s upright.
Sliema continued to create the better chances and on 17 minutes Alex Muscat sent a dipping cross that reached Trevor Cilia who fired over from routine distance.
Mosta tried to come out of their shell with quick forays led by Ian Zammit, Babangida and Michael Nicoise, but they rarely threatened the Sliema goal.
Instead, on 34 minutes, the Wanderers almost opened the scoring when Pedrinho released Cilia who turned past his marker but his shot was parried away by Borg.
Sliema maintained the upperhand after the break but it was Mosta who struck on 57 minutes.
Babangida muscled his way past three defenders before blasting his shot past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit after being put through by Nicoise.
The Wanderers were then forced to make their first change as Scerri limped out injured. He was replaced by Joseph Borg.
Sliema were unable to get shift back into gear and on 70 minutes Friggieri came on for Cilia.
The Malta U-19 striker immediately left his mark as he latched on to Pedrinho’s inswinger before volleying his shot past the Mosta keeper.
Azzopardi effected another change. Off went Pedrinho who was replaced by new signing Obagbemiro.
But Mosta almost regained the lead when Ekani beat the offside trap but saw his effort blocked by the quick-thinking Zammit.
At the other end, Pisanu’s shot flew a whisker away from the Mosta goal.
But Sliema went on to clinch the winner seven minutes from time. Bocar won possession on the edge of the Mosta box and served Obagbemiro who beat Borg with a crisp grounder.
Mosta
O. Borg-5.5, K. Pulo-6, A. Borg-5.5, Y. Ossok-5.5, K. Magro-6, G. Roberts-6.5, I. Zammit-5.5 (87 J. Brincat), R. Grech-6, R. Ekani-6, M. Nicoise-5, H. Babangida-6 (77 U. Fortune).
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, A. Muscat-6, A. Scozzese-6, J. Mintoff-5, M. Scerri-5.5 (59 J. Borg-6), A. Pisanu-6, M. Potezica-6, T. Cilia-5 (70 A. Friggieri-5.5), Pedrinho-5.5 (78 J. Obagbemiro), D. Bocar-5.5, B. Muscat-5.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: Pedrinho; A. Borg; Grech; Mintoff; J. Borg.
BOV player of the match: Pedrinho (Sliema Wanderers).