St.George's: B. Paris, E. Degabriele, E. Sevasta, B. Fenech, J. Spiteri, L. Grima, H. Schembri (D. Galea), K. Formosa, L. Mizzi (N. Abela), L. Lagana, A. Bonello.

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

Referee: S. Tanti, ass. refs: A. Arena, J. Rapa, 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: A. Muscat, L. Mizzi 2, O. Anonam, Z. Svoboda (pen)

Yellow cards: K. Formosa, J. Chetcuti, E. Sevasta

Player of the match: Lawrence Mizzi (St. George's)

TMI top three: 1. L. Mizzi 2. L. Lagana 3. R. Bajada

Two late goals in quick succession gave Sliema a flattering win against lowly St. George's, and avoid an embarrassing defeat. The result is rather harsh on the pioneers of local soccer as they were heading to a surprise victory over the more fancied Wanderers.

But the Wanderers were far from convincing yesterday and with some luck and with some experience St George's should have easily snatched at least a point.

Sliema sorely missed the services of the injured Ivan Woods. In fact they lacked punch up front with Chucks Nwoko inexistent. The Wanderers even lacked ideas in midfield, and had their hesitant moments in defence.

The match was similar to a friendly training stroll with Sliema in full command and with St. George's defending eagerly with practically all players behind the ball.

The Saints were in depleted formation without Do Nascimento, Clive Brincat, and Renato Conceicao.

Sliema started with Chucks Nwoko and John Mintoff in attack supported by Anonam. Bajada, Svoboda, and Muscat took hold of the midfield sector.

Sliema took the lead with their first good move on 12 minutes when Bajada passed to the onrushing Alex Muscat who shot well in the corner of the net. The match seemed all settled for the Wanderers, as St George's never looked capable of saving the match.

But on 23 minutes the unexpected happened when Lawrence Mizzi hammered home from an acute angle following a Lagana header. This goal was a severe blow for the Wanderers as the Saints started to play better. Although Sliema remained in constant possession of the ball, St George's through Johann Spiteri and Lawrence Mizzi who started to combine well in attack.

The second half started with a bang as St George's went ahead after two minutes. Larry Lagana's cross caught the Wanderers' defence napping and Lawrence Mizzi beat Chetcuti on the run to beat Akanji and send the Cospicua supporters wild with delight.

Sliema Wanderers were unable to penetrate the stubborn St George's defence. Sliema looked pathetic in their attempts to save the match as they lacked ideas and vision of play.

On the other hand St George's lacked experience in front as they had several good chances in their counter breaks but Heathcliff Schembri and Lawrence Mizzi failed to capitalise on some favourable opportunities.

Six minutes from time Sliema managed to obtain the equaliser, when a Muscat shot was blocked by Bonello, and Anonam was on hand to slam the ball home from close range. Sixty seconds later and Sliema turned the tide in their favour when in a melee in front of goal, a shot by Anonam was handled by Bonello with the referee awarding Sliema the penalty, from which Zdenek Svoboda made no mistake to give the Wanderers a flattering victory.