Sliema W.-Valletta 2-1

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat (L. Grima), B. Said, D. Debono, L. Lombardi (J. Brincat), N. Turner, D. Doncic, R. Bajada, I. Woods, S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic (J. Mintoff)

Valletta: M. Montfort, J. Bondin, S. Pace, B. Nisevic, R. Forace, C. Dean, C. Mattocks, K. Magro (C. Camilleri), I. Zammit, G. Agius, D. Zarb (A. Debono)

Referee: C. Pisani Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, K. Borg 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: I. Zammit, J. Bondin (og), I. Woods (pen)

Yellow card: D. Debono, R. Forace, J. Bondin, I. Woods, J. Brincat

Red card: J. Bondin (Valletta)

Player of the match: Noel Turner (Sliema)

TMI top three: 1. M. Montfort 2. N. Turner 3. R. Forace

Sliema Wanderers beat a resolute understrength Valletta side 2-1, courtesy of a Woods penalty and an own goal by defender Bondin to keep firmly in second place, despite Marsaxlokk’s stern challenge.

Sliema were boosted by the return of Bogdanovic and Giglio making his reappearance, after a long absence, playing in central defence for the still suspended Dilello. But still they struggled to improve on a dismal recent record of two consecutive defeats, showing rough edges and lack of cohesion.

Valletta were handicapped by injuries and suffering without the presence of the suspended Monesterolo in attack. They had the inspiring Miguel Montfort in goal, deputising for the injured Sullivan while they were also bereft of Keith Fenech in midfield. These excuses did little to hide the drudgery of a barren first half.

A lot of open play, with surprisingly a high ratio of opportunities, failed however to provide much in terms of real entertainment.

Sliema carved several openings in their opponents’ rearguard but failed to breach the City defence, thanks mainly to Montfort’s superb goalkeeping, in the first 45 minutes.

An early Woods effort had Montfort save with some difficulty in two attempts and then Bogdanovic raced in for Turner’s long ball forward but the Valletta keeper rushed out to block. On 27 minutes, Lombardi again tested Montfort with a close range effort and on the half hour Valletta’s shot stopper denied Doncic and Bogdanovic in quick succession.

Valletta, who had been mostly restricted to breakaways, had a cross shot by Bondin tipped into a corner by keeper Akanji and before half time, Montfort rushed out of his line to block at Bogdanovic’s feet inside the penalty area.

Valletta took a shocking lead five minutes after the restart. Mattocks played a free-kick short to Agius, and on the latter’s long ball forward, Ian Zammit beat Akanji with a glancing header.

The goal sparked some response from the Wanderers. A Turner corner was firmly headed towards goal by Bogdanovic but Montfort was equal to task, tipping the ball over the bar.

Bogdanovic’s substitution fuelled some sparks from the Sliema bench as the player left the pitch from the opposite team’s tunnel, applauding the Valletta supporters on his way out.

The Valletta keeper was beaten on 63 minutes by his team mate Bondin’s header in an effort to clear Bajada’s cross from the right, when challenged by Doncic.

That equaliser gave Sliema some impetus to go forward, but their play still lacked gloss. Muscat’s fierce cross shot from the right was palmed out by the Valletta keeper before the Wanderers put in Joe Brincat for the remaining 20 minutes.

But Valletta threatened with a Mattocks’ free-kick, laid in Magro’s path by Bondin but the Valletta youngster skied the ball. Then, Agius shot Zammit’s pass inches wide.

Ten minutes from time Sliema were awarded a penalty when Pace floored Doncic inside the area and Ivan Woods tucked away his 14th league goal.

There were no other noteworthy episodes in a scrappy ending, including six minutes overtime, except for Bondin’s dismissal five minutes from normal time, for his second bookable offence.