Sliema Wanderers 2
Scerri 5; Ohawuchi 15;
Pietà Hotspurs 0

This was far from vintage stuff from Sliema Wanderers but it was just enough to propel them into the semi-finals of the U*Bet FA Trophy.

Two goals to the good inside the opening 15 minutes, Sliema Wanderers raised the prospect of a handsome win over Pietà Hotspurs but this never materialised.

Alfonso Greco’s men mislaid the sharpness and urgency that characterised their early efforts while the Division One highflyers, who had claimed the scalp of FA Trophy holders Hibernians in the previous round, gained in confidence after recovering from an unconvincing start where their defence looked vulnerable every time Sliema attacked.

With Cameroonian striker Raphael Kooh Sohna chasing balls and taking on defenders, Pietà soon began to cause problems to the fading Blues but wayward finishing spoiled the Hotspurs’ comeback hopes.

Greco will not have been pleased with his team’s decline, especially in a low-key second half when Kooh Sohna fluffed two inviting opportunities to drag his team back into contention.

The likes of Admir Vladavic, Paltemio Barbetti and Matias Muchardi switched off as Pietà stepped up their game.

The applause the Pietà players received from their fans at the end of the match was richly deserved as the Hotspurs certainly produced a bold performance which augurs well for their bid to win promotion to the Premier League.

Sliema were just content to have seen off their opponents’ efforts as they set up a semi-final clash with Qormi who surprised Birkirkara on Saturday.

Greco named his strongest formation with the marauding trio of Trevor Cilia, Vladavic and Muchardi operating behind striker Stanley Ohawuchi.

Pietà’s starting XI was a blend of youth and experience as promising youngsters like Jurgen Pisani and Christian Grech were joined by seasoned personnel like goalkeeper David Cassar, Orosco Anonam and Brazilian forward Ricardo Costa.

Kooh Sohna, widely regarded as one of the best players in Division One, led from the front with Lucas Mutasi, Costa and Kyle Cesare providing support from behind.

Barely 13 seconds from the start had elapsed when Ohawuchi charged clear in the inside-left channel before mustering a rising shot that was pawed away by Cassar.

The Hotspurs failed to heed the alarm signals and duly paid the price after five minutes. Advancing through the middle, Vladavic delivered a pass that deflected off Mutasi and dropped to Mark Scerri who rifled past Cassar from inside the box.

Pietà survived an almighty scare two minutes later.

They were again caught out at the back as Vladavic exploited the open space on the left before flicking the ball forward to Barbetti whose angled shot was blocked with the ball ricocheting off two defenders in almost comical fashion before landing at the feet of the unmarked Cilia at the far post. The Sliema winger looked certain to score but his point-blank drive was repelled by the sliding Pisani.

At the other end, Pisani’s free-kick from the left wing sailed towards the six-yard box where Grech appeared to get his head to the ball but his attempt was blocked by Glenn Zammit, again preferred to Henry Bonello yesterday.

The Wanderers extended their lead on 15 minutes. Their goal stemmed from a superb pass by John Mintoff who intelligently released Ohawuchi with the Nigerian speeding forward unimpeded before slotting past the hapless Cassar.

Trailing by two goals so early in the match, Pietà were left with a mountain to climb but they never resorted to destructive tactics.

The Hotspurs had a legitimate claim for a penalty when Terence Agius bore down on goal through the middle but his strike came off Mintoff’s arm. Much to the dismay of the Pietà players fans, Irish referee Paul McLaughlin saw nothing wrong.

Minutes later, the Hotspurs delivered another reminder of their ability to hurt opponents on the counter as Costa left Barbetti in his wake as he raced towards goal before threading the ball to Kooh Sohna who held off Stefano Bianciardi. The Cameroonian stayed on his feet to supply a perfect pass to the unmarked Cesare who incredibly lifted his shot over the bar.

Kooh Sohna was proving a handful for the usually unflappable Bianciardi while Riccardo Costa was making some probing runs.

Four minutes from half-time, Ricardo Costa unleashed a thumping drive that grazed the side-netting.

At the other end, Cilia also demonstrated his shooting abilities as the winger, served by the roaming Vladavic, produced a strong strike that bounced just wide of the near post.

Coleiro brought on Jerry Ani for Grech who endured a disappointing first half.

Kooh Sohna remained Pietà’s most dangerous outlet. On one occasion, the Hotspurs’ no.9 skipped past a clutch of Sliema defenders before Clifford Gatt Baldacchino belted the ball away.

Pietà pushed forward with renewed intent after the change of ends but, 17 minutes into the second half, Sliema were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of penalty area after Anonam clipped Ohawuchi.

Cilia’s swerving free-kick was high.

Pietà had a chance of their own when Pisani’s set-piece cross soared towards Costa who chested the ball goalwards but Zammit saved.

Scoring chances became a rarity as the second half rolled by as Sliema looked happy to sit back and protect their two-goal lead while Pietà toiled to make headway in attack.

With 12 minutes remaining, the Hotspurs spurned a golden opportunity to halve the deficit when Ani turned well before freeing Kooh Sohna who fired wide.

The Cameroonian missed another chance as his acrobatic volley sailed over after Gatt Baldacchino had failed to clear Agius’s lofted pass.

The erstwhile subdued Sliema threatened to apply the killer touch but Ohawuchi’s effort was blocked by Cassar after the Nigerian had received from Muchardi.

In stoppage time, Costa’s corner from the right was headed on by Anonam with the ball landing at the feet of Agius who skewed his shot wide.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit, A. Muscat, J. Mintoff (85 I. Woods), M. Scerri, S. Ohawuchi, C. Gatt Baldacchino, T. Cilia (67 K. Farrugia), P. Barbetti, M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi, A. Vladavic.

Pietà Hotspurs
D. Cassar, T. Agius, O. Anonam, C. Attard, K. Cesare (64 Q. Refalo), C. Grech (46 J. Ani), R. Kooh Sohna, L. Mutasi, J. Pisani (74 M. Borg), Ricardo Costa, J. Zarate.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Ireland).

Yellow cards: Gatt Baldacchino; Anonam; Mintoff.

Attendance: 574.