Marsa-Sliema W. 1-2

Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Cassar, K. Scerri, B. Zammit (S. Cutajar), N. Fasinelli, E. Yanchev, J.P. Zammit, V. Bellia, D. Cucciardi, A. Scerri (W. Chircop)

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat, R. Bajada, D. Carabott, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, I. Ciantar, Z. Svoboda (L. Lombardi), M. Galea (J. Mintoff), S. Pace, C. Ciantar (M. Scerri)

Referee: M. Borg, Ass. Referees: A. Camilleri, E. Spiteri 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: R. Bajada, M. Galea, V. Bellia

Yellow cards: K. Cassar, N. Fasinelli, S. Pace

Red card: N. Fasinelli

Player of the match: David Carabott (Sliema W)

TMI best three: 1. D. Carabott, 2. M. Galea, 3. V. Bellia

The impressive form by Sliema Wanderers under Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia continued with an assured victory over Marsa. This was the Wanderers’ fourth on the trot and now takes them up to third place in the standings, disposing of Valletta in the process.

Sliema’s superiority, despite the absence of some key players, like Said and Anonam, was greater than the final scoreline suggests. Their stranglehold in midfield ensured that Marsa were back tracking. Up front, Bajada, Woods and Galea created several chances, which they themselves squandered, or were saved by the Marsa keeper Debono or by the woodwork, which could have added to the score.

In fact Marsa competed in their gutsy way, especially in the second half when they were already two goals behind, and even managed to pull one back. But after they were reduced to ten men, following Nicky Fasinelli’s dismissal, they hardly stood any chance.

Sliema took less than half an hour to build a two-goal lead and take a grip on the game, capitalising on Marsa’s jittery defence.

After hardly ten minutes play, Roderick Bajada played a deft one-two with Galea before shooting past keeper Debono.

Buoyed by an early lead, the Wanderers kept up some sustained pressure, with most of their attacks were fashioned down the right where the experienced Carabott had an adventurous game, crossing well and winning several corners. On one of his long passes, Woods played the ball back to Bajada who contrived to miss the target from inside the eight-yard box. Shortly after Galea’s effort went narrowly wide before the same player doubled the lead for the Wanderers on 27 minutes. Mark Galea controlled Carabott’s cross and with his back towards goal, beat the onrushing keeper with a perfect lob.

Marsa’s reaction was flaccid to say the least, as they were hampered by the absence of the injured Martin up front. They carved a good opportunity on 17 minutes when Scerri, well served by Fasinelli played the ball feebly in Akanji’s reach when unmarked inside the Sliema area and the chance of an equaliser went to waste.

The injured Svoboda was forced to be substituted by Lombardi on the half hour, but the Wanderers continued to create further chances despite playing with some training ground easiness.

Just before the break, Woods tested keeper Debono with a powerful shot, but the Marsa keeper was well up to task, saving his side from further derision.

Sliema’s complacency after the restart nearly paid them dearly as Marsa pulled a goal back, when least expected, on 64 minutes.

Cucciardi lobbed a free-kick to Fasinelli, whose effort was parried by keeper Akanji and Victor Bellia shot in from close range.

Sliema reacted with a Woods effort hitting the foot of the post on 68 minutes but one minute later Marsa suffered a setback when Fasinelli, one of their better players on the pitch, was sent off for his second bookable offence.

The Wanderers put in youngsters Scerri and Mintoff in a bid to score a reassuring third goal. That failed to come by because the Marsa keeper thwarted Woods, blocking his close range shot and a Scerri effort went narrowly off target.

However Sliema still ended up worthy winners.