Sliema W.-Birkirkara 1-1

Sliema Wanderers are still enjoying sole Premier League leadership this morning, albeit cut to only one point over Valletta, but only just.

Yesterday they were on the brink of suffering their third league defeat at the hands of rivals Birkirkara, only to be saved by a Woods penalty into three minutes of added time.

It was a most unlucky episode for the Stripes, who looked destined to clinch a much deserved win over the scrappy leaders after dominating the game for long periods with their sharper and more incisive football.

But again, the Wanderers’ character prevailed and the seven-point gap between the two teams remains intact.

Birkirkara had Darmanin back in goal with Nwoko and Ciantar relegated to the substitutes’ bench, making way for Michael Galea and Roderick Briffa.

Injuries and suspensions also forced Sliema to make changes from the side which beat Marsaxlokk last week. Akanji played in goal as Said and Chetcuti returned to the side. Miguel Mifsud started the match. Brincat and Anonam were missing as Lombardi started on the bench.

Birkirkara had the best of the first half, showing the more winning intentions as demands their table position.

The Stripes were more fluent and determined but could not turn the midfield superiority earned by Monye, Briffa and Mallia into chances during a barren first half, with Sliema taking a laid-back approach.

After 20 minutes Mifsud Triganza, making his dangerous presence inside the Sliema area, lost control to Said’s challenge and fell but recovered in time to shoot towards goal with Akanji blocking his effort.

Sliema only came up with a Woods long range shot after 38 minutes, forcing Darmanin to stretch himself and save.

Birkirkara again looked menacing shortly before the break. Michael Galea headed the ball in Mifsud Triganza’s clear path, thumping his shot against the cross bar with Akanji beaten. Then Camenzuli’s powerful free-kick had Akanji saving in two attempts.

The pattern of the game did not change much after the restart although Sliema carved out the first chance but Mifsud failed to put his shot on target.

But if there was any one side to break the deadlock it had to be Birkirkara. Past the hour, Sliema’s defence was caught napping on Michael Galea’s cross from the right and the lethal Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza nipped in to head home from close range.

The Wanderers reacted through a Woods incursion, thwarted by keeper Darmanin as Birkirkara, probing for the killer punch, were close with a Barbara shot, saved by the Sliema keeper.

Pernis went in for Mattocks and nearly equalised with his first ball contact but shot Doncic’s cross wide.

Birkirkara also put in Nwoko for the last quarter hour as Sliema somehow increased the pressure.

On 77 minutes Camenzuli kicked out Mifsud’s goal bound effort which had Darmanin beaten. The Birkirkara keeper limped off the pitch soon after Pernis’ diagonal low shot on Turner’s through ball went wide.

Nwoko failed to put his header on target after Said’s short clearance.

A last ditch effort by Sliema in added time earned them a draw that looked beyond them until then. Muscat’s free-kick from the right was handled by Birkirkara’s defender Etienne Barbara in the wall and the referee awarded the penalty which Ivan Woods tucked away in style to save his side from defeat.