Champions Sliema easily had the edge over Msida in a very low profile match to grab three precious points ahead of the direct clash against leaders Birkirkara next Sunday.

The result is rather flattering for the champions as Msida did not deserve such a battering. But Msida faded away early in the second half as Sliema scored three quick goals to put the issue beyond doubt.

Msida’s foreign strikers Nwoke and babatunde kept the Sliema rearguard on the alert for long periods and Di Lello and Said had to be at their best.

Bajada and Alex Muscat had a very high work rate, with Daniel Bogdanovic showing that he can be very useful in the future. Ivan Woods was deadly in front of goal as he heaped the dividends from Bogdanovic’s return.

Sliema needing desperately the three points to keep in touch with the Stripes ahead of their direct clash, started without the injured Joe Brincat, with Debono and Giglio on the bench. Bogdanovic was back for the champions after the club’s inflicted suspension.

Msida fresh from their impressive draw with nine players against Hibernians, had Zongo on the reserve’s bench, Josef Mifsud and Pullicino missing through suspension.

Msida’s defence was perforated after only 45 seconds when Bogdanovic beat the offside trap and served Ivan Woods who could not miss with an open goal at his mercy. On 12 minutes a well-orchestrated move between Bogdanovic and Doncic was finished by Carabott, but Omar Borg dived and saved well. Borg was again called in action saving a well executed free-kick by Bogdanovic.

Msida obtained the equaliser in their first real attack with Gatt giving a long ball to Daniel Nwoke, and the Msida striker beat Akanji with a precise grounder. Msida gained confidence with Babatunde trying his luck from the edge of the area but his shot went wide.

Ex Bajada powered his way inside the area but his shot left much to be desired. Just before the break Chetcuti almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear, and at the other end Omar Borg rushed out of position to block Bogdanovic.

The final chance came to Alex Muscat whose dipper slightly missed the crossbar.

Early in the second half, Msida introduced Zongo for Grima, but it was the beginning of their downfall as Sliema scored three goals in quick succession to wrap up the match.

On 53 minutes Sliema were back in front when Brian Said headed in a good Bajada freekick.

Ten minutes later Sliema were 3-1 up when Ivan Woods won a tackle in midfield and passed to Bogdanovic on the right. Bogdanovic returned the favour with an inviting cross that Woods did not miss. Two further minutes elapsed and Sliema scored the fourth goal. Bogdanovic did all the work on the right and Alex Muscat beat Borg with a powerful drive from just inside the area.

Ten minutes from time Daniel Theuma avoided the fifth goal when he blocked on the goal line a Noel Turner volley. In the dying seconds the posts denied Nwoke from another consolation goal.

Sliema W: M. Akanji (M. Camilleri), A. Muscat, M. Di Lello, B. Said, N. Turner, D. Doncic (L. Grima), R. Bajada, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, D. Carabott, D. Bogdanovic.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, S. Grima (O. Zongo), T. Farrugia, C. Sciberras, D. Gatt (K. Ebejer), D. Cachia (A. Spiteri), P. Fenech, L. Micallef, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke.

Referee: L. Sammut asst. refs: J. Camilleri, I. Spiteri, 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: I. Woods 2, D. Nwoke, B. Said, A. Muscat

Yellow cards: D. Theuma, I. Babatunde, N. Turner

Player of the match: Ivan Woods (Sliema)

TMI top three: 1. I. Woods 2. D. Bogdanovic 3. A. Muscat