Mosta 2
Sliema Wanderers 1
A dramatic late own goal by Alex Muscat capped a stunning comeback from first division strugglers Mosta as they knocked Sliema Wanderers out of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup.
Mosta fortuitously won the match when Muscat deflected Lydon Micallef's cross into his own net but it was a fully deserved victory for Oliver Spiteri's side as they worked harder than the under-par premier league heavyweights to book an historic semi-final berth.
The Division One side join Valletta, Tarxien Rainbows and Floriana in the semi-finals draw which will be held today.
This result places pressure on Sliema coach Mark Marlow who knows that the Wanderers' only realistic hope of silverware rests with the FA Trophy - and nothing was on display at the Victor Tedesco Stadium yesterday to suggest that is a viable option.
It was Mosta who began the brighter, particularly Gilbert Martin, who surged down the left and forced Simon Agius to bravely palm the ball away with Terence Vella lurking after 17 minutes.
Yet a schoolboy error soon put paid to their promising start, Mark Briggs playing a blind pass in midfield, Pedrinho taking advantage to lash home from 25 metres on 23 minutes.
Defensively, the Wanderers looked in trouble every time Mosta moved forward and, on the 37th minute, Victor Osobu embarked on a mazy dribble that took him from the left flank into the area, but Vella saw his goalbound shot blocked.
Mosta were not disheartened though, and they drew level with 41 minutes on the clock as Martin struck a spectacular swerving free-kick beyond the hapless Agius.
The game continued in the same vein after the break, with Sliema pressing but struggling to create clear-cut chances.
Debono saved brilliantly from Pedrinho on 79 minutes but otherwise they failed to really threaten a lead until the final minutes.
But Mosta were not just defending, and could have scored one minute later. Substitute Micallef miscued his shot in front of a gaping goal.
On 85 minutes, Mosta grabbed the winner when Micallef found space on the right and whipped in a low cross which Alex Muscat inadvertently diverted into his own net.
There was still time for a couple of desperate goal-mouth scrambles as Sliema pushed forward but in the end the own goal was enough to send Mosta through to the semi-finals.
Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia ('88 B. Galea), M. Brincat, B. Agius, M. Briggs, G. Martin ('76 L. Micallef), C. Pace ('90 L. Grima), J. Vella, V. Osobu, T. Vella.
Sliema: S. Agius, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, R. Fenech ('89 A. Mercieca), J. Mifsud Triganza, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods, L. Dronca, P. Calcado, J. Mintoff ('61 J. Alcorse), C. Failla ('81 N. Turner).
Referee: Clayton Pisani.