MOSTA 3, SLIEMA WANDERERS 2

Mosta registered their first win of the season by beating Sliema 3-2.

Despite starting with a 4-5-1 formation, Mosta – who had lost 2-0 in their last Premier League outing against Hibernians – started well, with Mvondo shooting at Curmi, who blocked in two attempts after 13 minutes.

Soon after, Jorge Santos Silva headed at Jonathan Debono and the impressive Jackson Lima then shot wide.

It was Mosta, though, who snatched the lead in the 24th minute. The Cameroonian striker dribbled past two defenders before his cross was blocked but ball was met by a perfectly timed run by Firas Aboulezz who fired in with a powerful first-time drive.

Just when they seemed on the verge of adding to their lead, Sliema grabbed a lifeline with Jackson Lima who headed Daniel Mitev's cross past Jonathan Debono from close range.

Crucially though, Sliema could not hold on until half-time. Arilson restored Mosta' lead, when he directed a looping header over the startled Curmi and into the far corner of the net from Aboulezz's cross.

In the 55th minute, Luca Martinelli's cross-cum-shot from the right wing was beaten away by Curmi.

From the ensuing corner, Zammit hit the post with a back-post header from the excellent Arilson who later watched a chance of his own being saved by Curmi, before Mosta further extended their lead.

Zammit's chipped pass over the Sliema defence was met by a perfectly timed run by Mvondo who twisted and turned to leave Curmi struggling before firing home after 58 minutes.

Any hopes the Mosta fans have had of a relaxing few minutes were dashed when Sliema pulled one back through Jackson Lima with an unstoppable 25-metre drive into the top corner.

The goal breathed life into Sliema's challenge and in stoppage time they could have been level but Roderick Bajada shot just wide.