After suffering three consecutive defeats, two goals by Michael Mifsud enabled Sliema Wanderers to return to winning ways as they defeated Pembroke Athleta 2-0 in a direct clash between the two teams lying just ahead of the relegation zone.

This win puts Sliema on level points with Pembroke Athleta on the 17-point mark.

The Blues had goalkeeper Timothy Aquilina making his debut, replacing Glen Zammit. The returning Alex Muscat and Mark Scerri were named in the starting line-up with Rafael Ledesma starting on the bench and Kerlon ruled out injured. Pembroke, onthe other hand, had one change from the team which defeated St. Andrews as Leighton Grech and Siraj Arab Eddin replaced Gibson Bardsley and Austin Martz.

Sliema managed to break the deadlock twelve minutes in the second half when Michael Mifsud, served by Rafael Ledesma, beat Matthew Farrugia with a rising shot from a close angle from the right.

The Wanderers doubled the score on the 74th thanks to another goal by Michael Mifsud whose well-placed diagonal shot from the right, following another assist by Ledesma, beat the Pembroke goalkeeeper.

PEMBROKE Matthew Farrugia, Alex Cini, Miguel Attard (70′ Patmore Shereni), Owen Bugeja, Paltemio Barbetti, Zoran Levnajic, Kyle O’Brien, Siraj Arab Eddin, Ariel Laudisi, Gustavo Villalobos, Leighton Grech (62′ Austin Martz).
Subs not used: Mario Muscat, Lydon Micallef, Rennie Tanti, Tyron Fenech, Peter Paul Sammut.
Coach: Winston Muscat

SLIEMA Timothy Aquilina, Alex Muscat, Benjamin Essel (63′ Johann Bezzina), Mark Scerri, Michael Mifsud, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Marko Potezica, Aidan Jake Friggieri, Gary Muir, Stefano Bianciardi (17′ John Mintoff)(36′ Rafael Ledesma), Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Glen Zammit, Cristian Fernando Toro Perdomo, Peter Xuereb, Kyle Hendry.
Coach: Stephen Azzopardi

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Sammy Attard
Additional Assistant Referees: Sandro Spiteri, Stefan Pace
Fourth Official: David Castillo
Yellow Cards: Dimech, Bugeja, O’Brien
Scorers: 57′ Michael Mifsud, 74′ Michael Mifsud
BOV Player of the Match: Michael Mifsud