This ‘Old Firm’ derby ended in a goalless draw and the much awaited clash only came to life in the final half hour. Prior to that, scoring opportunities were at a premium, especially in the first half, when the pace was ludicrous and both teams were bereft of conviction, despite their urgent need for points.

The Wanderers continue to drop precious points. This was their second consecutive goalless draw after their midweek match against Marsaxlokk, and they are losing ground against main challengers Birkirkara who now remain undisputed sole leaders. They have also lost some gloss in their play. Without the suspended Debono, Chetcuti got a starting place while Brincat started for Doncic, the latter going in as a second half substitute.

Floriana consolidated their good form of late with yet another positive result, although failure to break down the most resilient rearguard in the League dampens their chances for a Championship Pool berth.

The game bore no resemblance to the classics these two teams have staged over the years.

There were very few noteworthy episodes in a tepid first half. Sliema’s best chances came from the individual endeavour of Joe Brincat, twice denied by the Floriana keeper Agius who, on 20 minutes stretched himself to palm out the Sliema player’s long range shot which took a wicked deflection, and then again he made a spectacular acrobatic effort to turn into a corner his weighted free-kick just before the break.

Floriana’s only chance fell midway through the half when Mifsud flicked the ball towards the unattended Cilia who hit it wastefully off target on the run.

Both teams effected substitutions after the interval. Sliema put in Doncic for Woods while Floriana substituted Briffa with Cassar and introduced their former player Oba, looking rather overweight and lacking match practice.

These changes brought about some improvement as the pace became slightly faster and both teams created half chances.

A Muscat effort was footed out by keeper Agius. On the other end, Sliema’s Akanji rushed out to block at Mifsud’s feet.

With both teams finding pace and rhythm, scoring opportunities became more frequent in the last 20 minutes.

On 67 minutes a good choral Floriana move between Eviparker, Oba and Cassar ended with keeper Akanji saving the latter’s shot. Three minutes later, Agius pulled off another spectacular save, tipping Giglio’s goalbound effort over the bar.

On 75 minutes, Mifsud beat Akanji with a low drive on Cilia’s cross, but the ball rebounded off the foot of the post. On the other end, Doncic miskicked Bogdanovic’s teasing cross and another Sliema chance went to waste. Bogdanovic himself failed to beat the alert Floriana keeper with a close range header and then again sent a rasping shot narrowly over the bar.

At the end the stalemate prevailed.

Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa ( C. Cassar), I. Azzopardi, R. Gango Rtsa, I. Ciantar, M. Caruana, T. Cilia, C. Caruana, A. Mifsud, M. Micallef (R. Oba), A. Eviparker

Sliema W: M. Akanji, J. Brincat, A. Muscat, M. Dilello, B. Said, N. Turner, R. Bajada (O. Anonam), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods (D. Doncic), S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic

Referee: C. Lautier Asst. refs: P. Agius, N. Debattista 4th official: L. Sammut

Yellow cards: I. Ciantar, R. Bajada, R. Gango-Rtsa

Player of the match: J. Brincat (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. S. Agius 2. J. Brincat 3. R. Gango-Rtsa