Sliema Wanderers earned their first three points in the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase as they defeated Birzebbuga St. Peter’s 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.
Both Sliema and Birzebbuga had lost their first two matches and were therefore eager to bounce back with a win. The Wanderers took a first half lead and although the Saints equalised earlier in the second half, Sliema notched the winner just past the hour.
Branko Nisevic replaced Diego Camara and Anthony Limbombe with Robin Polley and Luke Montebello while including another new signing, apart from Polley, Ionut Cojocaru as a substitute. On the other hand, for Birzebbuga, Zachary Scerri replaced the suspended Jackson Mendoza.
Sliema managed to take the lead on 35 minutes when following a good move between Teddy Teuma and Alex Satariano, the latter served Nigel Robertha on the left whose perfect pass found Wale Musa Alli who hit home from close range.
Birzebbuga equalised eleven minutes in the second half when Alex Bruno concluded a good move on the left flank with a cross for Yuri to placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.
The Wanderers regained the lead on 61 thanks to substitute Ionut Cojocaru, who had just replaced Luke Montebello, receiving a pass on the left and concluding a good move with a powerful shot from outside the area which beat goalkeeper Mattia Chiesa.