Sliema W - Pieta H 3-2
Sliema: M. Akanji, J. Brincat (L. Lombardi), A. Muscat, B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner, D. Doncic, J. Farrugia (M. Mifsud), J. Chetcuti, L. Pernis (C. Mattocks), S. Giglio.
Pieta: A. Hogg, P. Aquilina, M. Abdilla (C. Calleja), C. Okoh, G. Sciberras, S. Ciscaldi, S. Ortas, C. Sammut, A. Spiteri (S. Zahra), B. Sciberras, I. Abshir.
Scorers : D. Doncic 2, S. Ciscaldi, J. Farrugia, C. Sammut
Referee: A. Zammit Asst refs: P. Agius, N. Debattista. 4th official: J. Attard.
Yellow cards: S. Ciscaldi, C. Okoh, I. Abshir, G. Sciberras
Red card - D. Debono
Player of the match: N. Turner
TMI Top 3: 1. G. Sciberras; 2. J. Farrugia; 3. N. Turner.
Champions Sliema Wanderers won three precious points against lowly Pieta, winning by the odd goal in five after an exciting saga, especially in the first half. The result grows in significance, considering that Sliema played from the 12th minute without central defender Debono, who was sent off by referee Zammit.
Sliema's defence proved to be their best department once again, with Chetcuti and Said in splendid form and with Akanji showing some neat handling of the ball. In midfield Giglio proved to be an asset for this side, whilst Turner anf Farrugia played their hearts out. Pieta played a good match but they lacked the necessary punch upfront. They were good in midfield, but their best was not enough against a ten-man Sliema side.
On twelve minutes however the Sliema rearguard was caught napping on Pieta's first stride forward and Darren Debono had to trip newcomer Abshir, with the referee showing the red card to the ex-Valletta defender.
Pieta gained in confidence with Sammut testing Akanji. On 29 minutes Sliema forged ahead when Pierre Aquilina floored Pernis and from the resultant penalty Doncic made no mistake. Sliema showed no signs of numerical inferiority as they doubled the score nine minutes later again thorugh Doncic this time heading in a Farrugia freekick.
Pieta had an immediate reaction with Ciscaldi stunning Akanji from more than thirty metres. Just before the break Sliema re-established their two-goal lead when Joe Farrugia shot home from the edge of the area following a Doncic short pass. But seconds later Pieta scored again with a well executed move by Abshir and finished off by Sammut from close range.
For the second half Pieta introduced Claudio Calleja to add more punch, whilst Sliema left Brincat in the dressing room with Lombardi taking his place. On 54 minutes Pernis should have scored his first goal in Malta, but he hesitated in front of goal and Hogg managed to save. Pieta held the initiative for long stretches but they rarely tested Akanji.