Sliema Wanderers 4
Mqabba 2
Sliema Wanderers progressed to the last 16 of the KO after beating Mqabba 4-2 in an end-to-end encounter at the Hibs Stadium.
Mqabba fought bravely, twice levelling matters, but Sliema’s lethal attack struck again in the final minutes as the Blues won the only all-Premier League match of the third round.
A stunning Claudio Calleja half-volley in the eighth minute was blocked by Sliema goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.
Gradually, Sliema began to dominate in midfield but failed to create any danger in the opening 20 minutes. Danail Mitev’s 20-metre strike was stopped by Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja.
The Bulgarian striker had earlier found the net but was marginally offside.
On 24 minutes, Jackson Lima broke on the counter but his progression into the box was halted by Mauro Bonnici.
Referee Fyodor Zammit applied the advantage rule and Roderick Bajada wrong-footed his marker before slotting past Calleja.
Sliema went 2-0 up two minutes later. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza’s cross from the left was met by Mitev. The Mqabba goalkeeper got a hand to the striker’s effort but could not hold the ball and Mitev pounced for a simple finish.
Mqabba’s poor start left them chasing the game but they were handed a lifeline after 38 minutes in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Sliema’s Cleaven Frendo tried to hit a crossfield pass close to the halfway line but got it horribly wrong as his miscued effort flew high into the air and over the head of the scrambling Curmi.
Sliema started the second half in explosive fashion. Calleja produced a brilliant save to stop Jackson Lima adding to their advantage on 50 minutes.
Just after the hour mark, Steve Bezzina squandered another great opportunity for Sliema when Mitev’s corner fell to the unmarked defender in the area but his header was wayward.
With 18 minutes left, the Wanderers were pegged back by Mqabba as John Paul Muscat equalised when he headed in Calleja’s free-kick.
Crucially for Sliema, they regained their lead immediately, Mitev swerving his free-kick past Calleja from the edge of the box.
The goal breathed life into Sliema’s challenge. They secured their qualification seven minutes from time when Jorge ended a fine solo run with a precise finish.
Sliema: A. Curmi, J. Mifsud, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (C. Gatt Baldacchino), D. Mitev, S. Bezzina, Jackson Lima, R. Bajada, Jorge, C. Frendo ( R. Grech), B. Muscat (R. Dalli).
Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa (M. Fenech), D. Azzopardi (R. Schembri), T. Mazzitelli (G. D’Amato), C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat, C. Micallef, S. Magro.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.