Sliema 1
Marsaxlokk 0
Sliema W: M. Akanji, R. Bajada, E. Barbara, M. Bartolo, R. Briffa, A. Madzar (N. Turner), N. Milovanovic (O. Anonam), A. Muscat, S. Pace, B. Said, I. Woods
Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, S. Wellman, W. Camenzuli, R. Conceicao, K. Sammut, G. Sciberras, C. Frendo, T. Templeman, W. Gomes (A. Da Silva), J. Pace, M. Barbara (S. Tellus)
Referee: M. Borg asst. refs: C. Micallef, M. Debono 4th official: K. Azzopardi
Scorers: B. Said
Yellow cards: N. Milovanovic, E. Barbara, R. Briffa, W. Camenzuli, J. Pace
Player of the match: Nesko Milovanovic (Sliema W)
TMI top three: 1. N. Milovanovic 2. M. Akanji 3. W. Camenzuli
SILVIO VELLA
Sliema Wanderers overcame Marsaxlokk’s stern challenge yesterday, courtesy of a second half goal by their captain Brian Said after Marsaxlokk had missed a penalty through Gomes just before the break. The Wanderers now join Floriana at the top of the League standings despite having played a game more.
Champions Marsaxlokk showed the better ideas in the first half and would have deserved the lead, but after conceding Sliema’s goal early after the break, they lost their gloss, handing over the initiative to their experienced rivals.
Both teams went into this game with some vein of good form. Sliema had beaten Valletta in their last match, to atone for the previous embarrassing defeat by Mqabba, while Marsaxlokk had registered two wins and a draw from their last three outings. Both were vying the top spot, to catch up with leaders Floriana before the Premeir League’s hibernation.
Marsaxlokk’s cause was undermined by some notable absentees from their starting line-up. With Licari and Mamo out injured, Pullicino, Magro, Da Silva and Tellus all started on the bench.
Both sides pressed hard on the throttle, showing their attacking intents from the start. The first quarter hour produced a lot of running and some flowing football. Marsaxlokk survived an early scare when Templemann’s clearance rebounded off an opponent, the ball rebounded off the bar and fell behind the stranded keeper Debono but did not cross the line. Then Mark Barbara’s shot took a deflection off the blocking Muscat and the ball thumped against the bar with keeper Akanji beaten.
Towards the half hour Milovanovic ran in well for Madzar’s return pass but keeper Debono was equal to task to turn his shot into a corner.
On 34 minutes Sammut played the ball forward to Barbara who advanced inside the Sliema area but was blocked by the onrushing Akanji. With the Wanderers temporarily on the receiving end, Barbara tried to outpace Muscat on the run but his final shot was weak. Then Bartolo found some open space inside the Marsaxlokk area but skied the ball.
The half’s best chance fell to Marsaxlokk though when inside added time, Pace came into contact with Mark Barbara and the champions were awarded a penalty. Gomes took the kick but keeper Akanji held it out with a plucky save, plunging to his right to turn the ball into a corner.
Marsaxlokk found themselves a goal down hardly eight minutes after the restart. Keeper Debono failed to cut Milovanovic’s corner kick from the left and Brian Said stooped low to head the ball against the post and over the line.
The goal drained away much of the champions’ confidence and Sliema threatened further with a Madzar free-kick which was blocked by Debono. Milovanovic failed to put the loose ball on target.
With Sliema holding a firm grip on the game, Marsaxlokk’s task became difficult as they struggled to take the game back from their experienced opponents for the rest of the half. They made two substitutions, moving Wellman upfield, but it was only in the late stages that they went anything near to an equalizer. Pace’s powerful drive from outside the area was held out by Akanji and then Sammut’s rising shot went tantalisingly wide.
But Sliema still looked menacing on the break and in the dying minutes were denied a second goal by the woodwork as Bartolo thumped Woods’ cross against the bar.
For all their bold efforts, Marsaxlokk were left with nothing to show, ruing that first half penalty miss.