Sliema Wanderers regained the top spot in the BOV Premier League as they defeated Zejtun Corinthians 4-2 in an entertaining clash at the National Stadium on Saturday.
A win which puts the Wanderers on the 22 points mark, two ahead of Hibernians, three ahead of Hamrun and four ahead of Gzira.
Zejtun, on the other hand, suffer a fourth defeat in five matches and are now fourth from bottom.
Sliema managed to take the lead on the 7th minute when off a cross from the right, Juri Cisotti headed home past goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone.
The Corinthians equalised on the 23rd minute thanks to Adrian Carabott who hit low past goalkeeper Jake Galea when served by Kemar Reid.
Sliema could have regained the lead a few minutes later but a Juri Cisotti effort hit the woodwork. However, they were not to be denied on the 33rd minute as Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro’s low effort beat the Zejtun goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
Zejtun levelled matters on the hour thanks to Adrian Carabott who hit home off a cross by Rafael de Fex Mariaga.
The Wanderers regained the lead on the 69th minute thanks to a first-time effort by Oscar Linton which gave the Zejtun goalkeeper no chance.
Zejtun were reduced to ten men twelve minutes from time after goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone was sent off following a foul on Riki Kakinuma.
On the 85th minute, Sliema sealed the issue with a fourth goal when off a corner by Gilmar, Kurt Shaw headed the ball home.
ZEJTUN Ibrahim Kone, Lucas Moreira, Adrian Carabott (80′ Christian Cassar gk), Kemar Reid, Marcelo Muniz (75′ Dylan Agius), Christian Grech, Vitor Vieira, Edward Herrera (75′ Gianluca Bugeja), Neil Tabone, Rafael De Fex (75′ Gillmore Azzopardi), Anderson De Barros.
SLIEMA Jake Galea, Kurt Shaw, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (87′ Alessandro Milesi), Juri Cisotti, Denilson Pereira (87′ Alex Satariano), Gabriel Aquilina (79′ Edmond Agius), Riki Kakinuma (80′ John Mintoff), Oscar Linton, Jean Paul Farrugia (68′ Sylvano Comvalius), Myles Beerman, Dejan Vukovic.
Referee: Alex Johnson
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: Beerman, de Fex, Muniz, Denilson, Grech, Reid
Red Cards: 78′ Ibrahim Kone
BOV Player of the Match: Adrian Carabott