Sliema W. 1

Floriana 3

Not for the first time this season, Sliema Wanderers let an early lead slip away as they conceded three times against Floriana to finish on the losing end in this ‘Old Firm’ derby.

The Wanderers need to turn their possession more ruthlessly into goals, although they were unlucky when twice denied by the woodwork in the first half.

Floriana can be commended for their lively comeback after falling in arrears and being mostly second best for the first half hour. They dusted themselves from the early setback, managed to equalize before halftime, hit the post and then dominate in the second period to add two more goals and win the match. They now go temporarily in third place in the standings.

The Greens were bereft of the services of the suspended Christian Caruana and Joseph Borg, but with Duncan Pisani returning in defence, Malcolm Licari was relegated to the bench. Coach Brincat deemed it fit to start with Grabowski and Sodje in attack, naming Ryan Darmanin among the substitutes.

Sliema also had Clifford Gatt Baldacchino suspended and the not fully fit Mitev starting on the bench. Eyenga returned from suspension to give them the cutting edge in attack.

The Wanderers had already gone close with an Alex Muscat shot, thumping against the upright, after Cilia had laid the ball in his path on seven minutes.

Eyenga turned well when allowed space inside the Floriana area but was blocked by Bugeja.

Sliema finally broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Emiliano Lattes beat keeper Bartolo, who was caught off his line, with a looping header, connecting well to Grech’s cross.

Sliema continued to dominate the proceedings and past the half hour they were again denied by the woodwork. Cilia played the ball to Fenech who drilled his shot against the upright.

Floriana had carved out only one chance until then. Past the quarter hour, Sodje went inside the Sliema area for Woods’ return pass but was blocked by keeper Bonello.

They suddenly jerked into shape on 34 minutes to draw level. Doffo started the move with a long free kick, headed by Mintoff towards Bugeja, whose effort was blocked by the goalkeeper, but Andre Grabowski managed to knock the ball over the line.

Floriana remained the better side for the rest of the half and they even threatened to take the lead. On 40 minutes Grabowski played the ball forward to Sodje whose shot hit the underside of the bar and rebounded in play with keeper Bonello beaten.

Then, Woods played a through ball to Grabowski who was blocked into a corner by keeper Bonello.

Sliema looked better at the start of the second half and keeper Bonello twice repelled efforts by Ryan Fenech. On 56 minutes, the Floriana shot stopper turned Bezzina’s shot into a corner. From the resultant Cilia corner, Eyenga headed over.

But Floriana reverted to a more direct approach and took the lead towards the hour. Doffo’s free kick was headed towards the middle by Grabowski and defender Erik Akoto turned striker to shoot in from close range.

Sliema tried to regroup as they put in Ani, Frendo and later Mitev. Ani skied the ball on Eyenga’s pass on 65 minutes.

But Floriana remained more potent going forward and scored their third 11minutes from time when Onome Sodje pounced on Clyde Borg’s through ball, before a static Mifsud, to beat the onrushing keeper Bonello.

Sliema looked drained and keeper Bonello blocked on Woods to save his side from further derision towards the late stages.