Sliema W.-Pieta H. 3-0
Sliema W: M. Akanji, J. Brincat (D. Carabott), A. Muscat, M. Dilello, B. Said, N. Turner, D. Doncic (O. Anonam), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, S. Giglio (J. Farrugia), D. Bogdanovic
Pieta H: A. Hogg, P. Aquilina (D. Gatt), C. Okoh, C. Calleja, C. Sammut, D. Camenzuli (D. Mifsud), S. Kondev, D. Gera (A. Spiteri), F. Marius, M. Galea, R. Grech
Scorers: J. Brincat, I. Woods, S. Giglio
Referee: C. Pisani Asst. refs: A. Camilleri, Ms E. Farrugia 4th official: L. Sammut
Yellow cards: A. Muscat, A. Spiteri
Player of the match: Stefan Giglio (Sliema W)
TMI top three: 1. N. Turner 2. S. Giglio 3. A. Muscat
Sliema ended their run of two goalless draws, with a 3-0 defeat of Pieta Hotspurs to close the gap on leaders Birkirkara to only two points.
The Wanderers made sure to avoid their first round embarrassment when they were beaten for the first time this season against same opponents.
Goals by Brincat and Woods in a seven minute spell by the quarter hour, put Sliema in control. Giglio added a third in the second half as the champions also contrived to miss several other chances, including a Woods penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
Giglio and Turner gave a powerhouse display in midfield, complemented by Muscat’s and Carabott’s bright approaches on the flanks, with Bogdanovic taking every opportunity to surge forward in support.
Pieta failed to repeat their exciting performance as against Marsaxlokk the previous week and suffered from the absence of Martin Deanov and Silvan Ciscaldi. They were starved of service up front and their defence was often ripped apart by their opponents’ persistent raids.
The Hotspurs’ confident start soon faded away after Sliema’s gradual grip on the match. The Wanderers, showing more endevour than has been the case in recent games, in fact forged ahead with practically their first real attack towards the quarter hour. Woods picked Bogdanovic’s deep cross from the left, played the ball low for the advancing Joe Brincat who beat keeper Hogg with an exquisite chip from inside the area.
Brincat strained a muscle in the process and was substituted by Carabott.
Sliema doubled their lead on 22 minutes. Okoh cleared Muscat’s cross into a corner before Doncic could connect and Ivan Woods volleyed in Turner’s subsequent flag kick.
Pieta’s reaction was weak. On the half hour Galea arrived fractionally late on Kondev’s pass forward and keeper Akanji blocked. A Kondev powerful free-kick beat the Sliema wall but Akanji palmed the ball into a corner.
Sliema again looked menacing on 38 minutes as Turner’s deep cross from the right fell into Carabott’s path only to be blocked by Aquilina’s timely tackle. Before half-time, the Wanderers again fluffed a couple of other opportunities when Giglio hit Doncic’s square pass wide and a Bogdanovic free-kick was off target.
Doncic again missed a sitter soon after the restart. Unmarked in front of goal, with all the time in the world, he shot wastefully wide.
On 57 minutes a Giglio arrow-like free-kick from some 30 metres out, shivered the Pieta bar. But the Sliema midfielder did better two minutes later, when he rifled a short clearance past the helpless Hogg.
Sliema’s superiority grew after the Hotspurs substituted Camenzuli and Aquilina. On 74 minutes, Woods’ penalty kick, awarded for Okoh’s foul on Bogdanovic, was saved by the outstretched Pieta keeper.