Premier League: Last-gasp goal saves the day for Sliema

Ten-man Sliema Wanderers were seconds away from succumbing to their first defeat of the season only for Henrique to come the their rescue and score an equalizer deep into stoppage time. This was another good performance from Melita who are playing so

By: independent.com.mt

Sep 30 2024
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Premier League: Last-gasp goal

The first chance of the match came after five minutes when Plut took control of the ball and after going forward Mizzi rushed out in order to block. Two minutes later a headed effort by Plut just missed the target.

Sliema kept piling on the pressure in the initial stages and on 12 minutes Awad with only Mizzi to beat sent his effort wide off the mark. And ten minutes later off a Pisani corner in came Zibo whose shot was blocked onto another corner.

On the half hour mark Sliema were dealt a severe blow when Myles Beerman was given the marching orders for a foul on Melita captain Jean Pierre Attard.

But it was the Blues who drew first blood just three minutes later. Pisani supplied a cross from the right flank and in popped Gomes Da Mata who headed home. Melita could have drawn level in the 42nd minute when Matthew Debattista broke free but his shot was turned onto a corner by Emeka.

But Melita restored equilibrium three minutes after resumption. It was through a Nick Cutajar which beat goalkeeper Emeka. This was the best moment for Melita who took the lead in the 50th minute the goal courtesy of a Carlos Penha Da Costa lob beating a helpless Emeka.

Though playing with ten man Sliema threw everything on the attack. On 68 minutes they were rather unlucky when Zibo twice hit the woodwork. And on the other end an Andres Yepes shot was saved by Emeka.

The dramatic goal came in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Marcellino brought down Barros in the area and from the resultant penalty Henrique converted.