Despite the abundance of chances and general dominance, Msida failed to win this game and ran the risk of losing it as well. A late Tyrone Farrugia equaliser enabled them to take a point and ensure at least second place in the standings after the first round.

Msida were superior over Sliema in possession, especially in the second half. With the driving energy of Pullicino and Fenech in midfield as well as the illusive movement in attack of Zongo, Nwoke and Babatunde, the Saints had the ascendancy. But they spurned opportunities galore and it is commonplace in football for teams who do not exploit their chances to risk being caught by a counter punch.

In fact, the Wanderers, starting life after Edward Aquilina, managed to take the lead four minutes from time and nearly pulled up a surprising first win under new coach Ray Farrugia, only to give it away within two minutes. Forced to field a reshuffled team, due to injuries and suspensions, Sliema played with five players at the back, to hold out Msida’s lethal striking force. This they did to good effect. Equally significant was the supreme goalkeeping of Akanji, who frustrated Msida time after time.

Sliema put plenty of effort, but precious little by way of imagination needed to unlock the Msida defence, although they were menacing whenever moving forward. Anonam and Nwoko, although both substituted, started the match, to support Woods in attack.

Midway through the half, Nwoke headed Babatunde’s cross inches wide, nearly exploiting some loose marking inside the Sliema box. Woods twice tested Msida keeper Borg with low shots but the last quarter hour heralded Msida’s best spell.

On 38 minutes Carabott and Nwoke clashed head to head on Sciriha’s sailing free-kick and the Sliema player was forced to leave the pitch.

Msida’s onslaught continued. Fenech’s glancing header on a Zongo cross from the right went off target.

Ironically, as they ran the danger that they would buckle under mounting pressure, Sliema carved their best chance deep into injury time. Anonam made his way inside the Msida area from the byeline, playing a low ball for Muscat to shoot against the post.

The Wanderers were first to threaten again three minutes after the break when Nwoke ran in to connect on Anonam’s low cross from the left but lofted the ball in front of goal.

Msida’s response came from a Pullicino shot which Akanji turned into a corner and towards the hour, Akanji again denied Msida with some excellent goalkeeping, stretching himself to save Nwoke’s powerful drive into a corner. And from the ensuing flag kick, the Sliema keeper saved superbly Zongo’s curling shot from the edge of the area.

Sliema went close on 67 minutes with Said’s headed effort on Turner’s free-kick, going tantalisingly wide at the far post. Substitute Mintoff’s shot was blocked on the goal line by Mifsud on 80 minutes.

The game suddenly sparked to life in the late stages. Pullicino’s exquisite shot from outside the area thumped against the bar and when Akanji failed to hold Zongo’s blistering free-kick, substitute Cachia shot against the side netting.

With four minutes remaining, and the match heading for a draw, Sliema made the breakthrough as their best scorer Ivan Woods headed in Mintoff’s cross from close range.

But Msida took only two minutes to recover and earn a deserved equaliser, also from a headed goal by defender Tyrone Farrugia, on Zongo’s corner from the left.

Babatunde was sent off for his second bookable offence on the stroke of time and in injury time, keeper Borg thwarted Woods with a timely sortie to stop him from connecting on yet another teasing cross from young Mintoff.

* * *

Msida SJ : O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima, T. Farrugia, J. Mifsud, P. Fenech, O. Zongo (S. Vella), P. Pullicino, D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde, R. Baldacchino (D. Cachia)

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat, B. Said, R. Bajada, D. Carabott (N. Turner), I. Woods, O. Anonam (J. Mintoff), I. Ciantar, C. Nwoko (M. Galea), S. Pace, C. Ciantar

Referee: J. Attard, Ass. Referees: I. Spiteri, C. Micallef, 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: I. Woods, T. Farrugia

Yellow cards: A. Muscat, I. Babatunde, C. Ciantar, P. Pullicino, J. Mifsud

Player of the match: Murphy Akanji (Sliema W)

TMI best three: 1. M. Akanji, 2. I. Babatunde, 3. P. Pullicino