Wanderers held by ten-man Mosta

Mosta joined Pembroke Athleta on the 18-point mark as they earned a point in a 1-1 draw with Sliema Wanderers at the National Stadium on Sunday despite player for almost an hour in ten men.

This was the third positive result for Johann Scicluna in their bid to avoid automatic relegation and secure the play-out spot against the team finishing fourth in Division 1. Sliema, on the other hand, disappointed after back-to-back wins over Hamrun and Floriana. However they still managed to extend their positive run to seven matches.

Following last Monday’s win over Hamrun, Mosta coach Johann Scicluna maintained faith in the same players. On the other hand, Sliema had two changes as John Mintoff and Ryan Spiteri replaced Mark Scerri and Jean Paul Farrugia.

Mosta took the lead on the 25th minute when a shot by Pedrinho hit the foot of the upright and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza placing the ball at the back of the net off the rebound. A goal which brought harsh protests by the Wanderers with regards to Mifsud Triganza’s alleged offside position.

However on the 35th minute, Mosta were reduced to ten men as Pedrinho was then sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a minute. This decision by referee Sandro Spiteri also brought protests by the Mosta players over a possible case of mistaken identity with regards to the player who committed the infringement.

Sliema equalised nine minutes in the second half thanks to direct freekick by Ricardo Correa Duarte which gave goalkeeper Andreas Vella no chance.

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SLIEMA Giuseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Ryan Spiteri, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Jonathan Pearson, Matias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Leonardo Incorvaia, John Mintoff (46′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Frank Temile (84′ Michele Sansone).
Subs not used: Claudio Caraott, Luca Martinelli, Mark Scerri, Luca Brincat, Gabriel Aquilina.
Coach: John Buttigieg

MOSTA Andreas Vella, David Fenech (84′ Zachary Brincat), Tyrone Farrugia, Kurt Magro, Kyle Frendo, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (73′ Dexter Xuereb), Mario Toth, Cedric Hengbart, Njongo Priso Doding (90+1′ Neil Frendo), Jonas Ekani Rodrigues, Pedro dos Santos Calcado.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Matthew Attard, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Emerson Vella.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Darko Stankovic
Yellow Cards: Pedrinho, JP Farrugia, Pearson, Denni
Red Cards: 35′ Pedrinho
BOV Player of the Match: Denni Rocha dos Santos