Mosta 0
Sliema Wanderers 1
Woods 69
Ivan Wood’s 11th goal of the season earned Sliema Wanderers a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mosta last night, sending Alfonso Greco’s side just four points adrift of leader Birkirkara.
The 36-year-old forward’s opportunistic 69th minute strike proved enough to sink the bottom club in the Championship pool after Mosta goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia had threatened to frustrate the Wanderers.
The opening 20 minutes were devoid of goalmouth action as Mosta repelled efforts by Sliema in all-white outfit. The Wanderers dominated possession but their passing game failed to carve open the crowded rearguard.
Then a partial power failure at the Hibernians Stadium after 34 minutes of the game led referee Alan Mario Sant to interrupt the match due to inadequate lighting. The match resumed after nine minute when the level of light at the Stadium increased partially after the Ground Management turned on some reflectors located on the stand.
Alex Muscat’s movement was causing Mosta problems. On another occasion, the winger now striding forward through the middle, guided a through-pass to Woods who created space for a shot inside the box but Farrugia blocked it.
Four minutes from the start of the second half had elapsed when Clifford Gatt Baldacchino’s cross from the distance seeped through a thicket of players but Bajada positioned at the far post miscued his shot.
After 54 minutes, Ian Zammit sent in a dangerous cross from near the byline, Scerri tried to scissor-kick the ball in but missed it.
Two minutes later, latching on to a diagonal pass, Muscat surged into the box but instead of lifting the ball over the advancing Farrugia, the Malta defender shot straight into his hands.
A frantic game for Sliema then became manic with Farrugia forced two times to race off his line, most tellingly to thwart Woods. On the hour mark, he produced a magnificent save to turn Paltemio Barbetti’s shot over the crossbar.
Few moments later, Woods swivelled in the middle before hitting a grounder which Farrugia pushed on the foot of the post.
But Farrugia came off worst in his personal duel with Woods when after 69 minutes when the Wanderers finally broke the deadlock when it looked as if Mosta might pinch a point. The former Floriana striker pounced on a rebound from Zammit’s initial effort and threaded his shot past Farrugia.
Six minutes later, substitute Luigi Ruggiero looked certain to double the score but his piledriver from close range brought a top-drawer save from Farrugia.
Yet, Ian Zammit had one last chance to save the day for the Sliema’s forward when Fernando Apap fouled him in stoppage time, only to see Farrugia keep put his spot-kick.