Sliema Wanderers secured their second successive victory in the VBet Malta Premier after holding off a late Birkirkara fightback to register a 2-1 win.
Goals from Nikolaos Karelis and Vlatko Drobanov handed the Wanderers a two-goal advantage before Fernandinho pulled one back with a spectacular strike ten minutes from time.
Birkirkara pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Sliema held firm to collect three valuable points and continue their recovery following a difficult start to the campaign.
Sliema created the first clear opportunity after eight minutes when Zlatko Romanov was picked out inside the penalty area, but the Bulgarian somehow headed wide from close range.
Birkirkara responded three minutes later through Franklin Sasere, whose effort brought an excellent save from Henry Bonello. Rafael Santos fired wide from the rebound.
Bonello was called into action again in the 13th minute, producing another fine stop to deny Shaft Brewer as the Stripes enjoyed a promising spell.
Sliema were then forced into an early substitution when Nigel Robertha suffered an injury, with Karelis taking his place.
The Wanderers broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Kadu brought down Alex Satariano inside the penalty area. Karelis stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, beating goalkeeper Joseph Ebogo to put Sliema ahead.
Birkirkara were expected to increase the pressure after the interval, but it was Sliema who continued to look the more threatening side.
The Wanderers doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. Teddy Teuma produced an excellent pass to release Drobanov, who beat Ebogo with a rising effort to make it 2-0.
Birkirkara struggled to find a way through an organised Sliema defence, although they went close on the hour when Zach Muscat was denied by Bonello following a free-kick.
Sliema could have effectively wrapped up the points five minutes later, but Karelis fired straight at Ebogo. The Birkirkara goalkeeper was again called upon in the 73rd minute when he pushed away Ionut Cojocaru’s inswinging effort.
With Sliema seemingly in control, Birkirkara suddenly breathed new life into the contest in the 80th minute.
Fernandinho surged forward before unleashing a tremendous drive from around 25 metres which flew into the top corner, leaving Bonello with no chance.
The goal set up a tense finale, although Sliema continued to create opportunities themselves. Ebogo produced an excellent reflex save to deny substitute Brian Gambarte four minutes from time.
Mohammed Awad then had a golden opportunity to restore Sliema’s two-goal cushion in the 89th minute when he dispossessed Zach Muscat and rounded Ebogo. However, his effort lacked power and the Birkirkara defence managed to clear the danger.
Sliema ultimately saw out the remaining minutes to claim their second win on the trot, while Birkirkara were left to reflect on a second successive defeat.
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