Valletta: S. Sullivan, S. Bezzina, B. Nisevic, S. Pace, K. Cassar, J. Bondin (J. Grioli), K. Fenech (C. Camilleri), D. Zarb, M. Galea, M. Grima, J. Ani (K. Magro).

Sliema W.: M. Akanji, J. Brincat, M. DiLello (A. Muscat), B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner, D. Doncic, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, S. Giglio (C. Mattocks, J. Farrugia), D. Bogdanovic.

Referee: A. Casha. Asst refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri; 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: D. Bogdanovic, M. Grima pen, D. Doncic,

Yellow cards: M. Grima.

Red cards: A. Muscat, D. Debono.

Player of the match: Dylan Zarb.

TMI Top 3: 1. D. Zarb; 2. N. Turner; 3. M. Grima.

Champions and league leaders Sliema Wanderers yesterday chalked up their fifth straight win as they beat a fighting Valletta side 3-1, though ending the match in nine men.

The match should have been just a formality for the runaway league leaders with Valletta having five players missing through injury or suspension.

But when Alex Muscat was show a red card on the hour for kicking at Zarb in retaliation, Valletta equalised and Sliema seemed to have a mountain to climb. Then came the late goals from Doncic and Woods before Darren Debono also received a red card for some remarks to the official for Sliema to finish the match in nine men. The fully-equipped Sliema enjoyed slight superiority in midfield, especially in the first half, but they failed to show any glimpse of the form with which they had annihilated Birkirkara earlier in the week.

The in-form Noel Turner never stopped running and feeding his team-mates continuously, easily being their best player. But up front the Wanderers were found wanting as Valletta kept a good eye on both Bogdanovic and Woods, even though the former managed to break the deadlock midway through the first half and the latter scored the third goal which sealed the issue.

After Grima equalised for Valletta from a penalty, it had to be Doncic, as usual, to solve what appeared to be a major problem for Sliema, as he scored nine minutes from the end, before Woods completed the scoring with an injury time strike.

Valletta gave much more than was expected of them, considering the circumstances with which they had to face the league leaders.

Gilbert Agius, Ian Zammit, Anatole Debono and Milen Penchev all missed the match through injury while Forace was ruled out through suspension.

Having to play with such a heavily depleted formation, one expected the citizens to play a totally defensive match, but I admired their commitment and never-say-die spirit, even when they suffered Bogdanovic's first half goal.

Massimo Grima's equaliser was just reward for their earlier efforts and I could not help noticing the ever improving Dylan Zarb who played like a veteran throughout.

In the first half, it was Valletta who went close first through a Bondin dipper which went wide. At the other end, Bogdanovic brought out a good save from Sullivan while the city goalie had to rush out of his charge to block on Doncic, beautifully set by Turner.

Sliema took the lead on 18 minutes when off a Turner cross, the ball was not cleared and Bogdanovic was on hand to slot the ball home.

After that Valletta finished the first half on a crescendo with Akanji first saving a Bondin low shot and then tipping a shot by Galea to corner. And on 33 minutes, it was the young Dylan Zarb who had a fine effort sailing just over.

On 57 minutes, Sliema had an isolated good move involving Muscat, Brincat and Bogdanovic, but the latter's close range effort was well saved by Sullivan to corner.

But it was Valletta who equalised on the 60th minute. Alex Muscat retaliated badly for a Dylan Zarb tackle. The official noted the off the ball infringement in the Sliema area and pointed to the dreaded spot while also sending off the Sliema defender who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes. From the spotkick, Massimo Grima made no mistake.

Sliema ironically started playing much better in 10 men and pressed forward in search of a second goal which arrived on 81 minutes. It was Turner who crossed low into the area. Woods just flicked on for Doncic to beat Sullivan with a crisp shot.

Sliema scored a third goal in added time when Doncic set Woods who beat the offside trap, rounded Sullivan and hit home into an empty net.