Sliema W: M. Akanji (M. Camilleri), J. Brincat (A. Muscat), M. Dilello, B. Said, D. Debono, D. Doncic, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, O. Anonam (C. Mattocks), S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, P. Ndubisi N’Dah, S. Sadowski, A. Attard, D. Galea, J. Magri Overand, K. Borg (I. Briffa), I. Iyiabo (A. Mansueto), R. Mangion, G. Spiteri, I. Umoru (D. Cucciardi)

Referee: M. Borg Asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Arena 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: D. Doncic (2), D. Bogdanovic, G. Spiteri, S. Giglio

Yellow cards: D. Galea, O. Anonam, A. Attard, G. Spiteri

Player of the match: D. Bogdanovic (Sliema)

TMI top three: 1. S. Giglio 2. D. Bogdanovic 3. R. Mangion

Superior Sliema cut above the rest

This was another routine triumph for Sliema Wanderers, over willing but always inferior opponents Hamrun Spartans. A brace from Doncic, another by Bogdanovic in the first half and a third by Giglio in the second, ensured the champions take maximum points from their first three matches to go top in the standings. By contrast, Hamrun remain rooted at the bottom of the table, winless and pointless, let down once more by some sloppy defending.The gulf between the two teams was never a talking point.

The offensive Sliema, with Bogdanovic, Anonam, Woods and Doncic in the starting line-up, were superb. They did not just produce networks of passes, but also probing balls that gave them plenty of full-back options should the attackers fail.

Hamrun were off to an enthusiastic start. Spiteri’s ambitious effort was saved by keeper Akanji.

But Sliema’s better work rate and application were visible towards the quarter hour when Woods’ cross from the left fell to Danilo Doncic who controlled the ball well and shot low at the far post.

Bogdanovic again was a creative force behind Sliema’s attacks as he laid a good ball to Woods who shot off target.

On 22 minutes Mangion concluded Spiteri’s pass with a placed shot that Akanji saved in two attempts.

A minute later, Daniel Bogdanovic capitalised on a Sadowski defensive lapse to beat keeper Cordina with a low drive.

Giglio’s pace took him past a bunch of Hamrun players but his final shot lacked the required power.

The Spartans, who lacked enough effort into marking and closing down the opposition, needed some bit of luck or a piece of individualism just to give them the confidence to take their game up a gear. That seemed coming on the half hour when Anonam’s late tackle tripped Iyiabi inside the area as he was running in to connect on Umoru’s cross from the byeline. Keeper Akanji dived well to save Ndubisi N’Dah’s weak shot from the penalty spot.

Sliema continued to toy with their opponents, at times looking complacent in their finishing. Distant shots from Bogdanovic and Brincat which missed the target highlighted the Wanderers’ confidence. They only lead 2-0 by half-time.

Hamrun reduced the deficit four minutes into the second half. Umoru’s effort was blocked by the Sliema defence and Gaetan Spiteri made the best of the loose ball, hitting past keeper Akanji from close distance.

Sliema did not take long to take the bit between their teeth again. On 53 minutes, Bogdanovic’s cross from the byeline was fumbled by keeper Cordina and Stefan Giglio headed in the loose ball.

By the hour, Hamrun had effected all their three substitutions, giving a debut to their Australian-Maltese player Adam Mansueto.

Sliema continued to look menacing as Giglio’s low cross was met by Woods. Cordina blocked his shot into a corner.

Sliema eased down as the minutes ticked away, with Hamrun’s continuing failure to breach their defence, strengthened by Muscat’s inclusion for Brincat.

Hamrun looked vulnerable to concede a fourth in added time as Bogdanovic sprinted unhindered down the right flank and Danilo Doncic struck in the cross.

For Hamrun, beaten by sheer expertise, it was another worrisome defeat.