Sliema W.-Valletta 1-0

Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat, B. Said, R. Bajada, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, I. Ciantar, C. Nwoko (D. Carabott), A. Madzar (O. Anonam), S. Pace, C. Ciantar (S. Giglio)

Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Bondin, B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, R. Forace, D. Camilleri, U. Edafe, D. Zarb (J. Grioli), D. Falzon, G. Agius, I. Zammit

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorer: C. Nwoko

Yellow cards: C. Ciantar, C. Nwoko, D. Zarb, J. Chetcuti

Red card: U. Edafe

Player of the match: Rodrick Bajada (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. R. Bajada 2. R. Forace 3. D. Falzon

This game was lamentably lacking in meaningful goalmouth action and the classic match that this fixture often produces, obstinately refused to emerge.

For long stretches an assortment of players darted hither and thither with little panache or precision.

Sliema won this one courtesy of Chuks Nwoko’s early header, to move up into second place and stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches under coach ‘Zazu’ Farrugia.

Valletta also had their moments but failed to perforate the Wanderers’ rearguard, unable to obtain what looked to be a deserved draw, suffering their second defeat on the trot.

Monesterolo’s move to Kuwait meant an aching gap in Valletta’s attack with Gilbert Agius playing in a most advanced role. Massimo Grima was also missing in defence as he sat on the bench. Forace was given a start.

Sliema also gave a start to their new recruit from Montenegro, the lanky Aleksander Madzar, as replacement for Svoboda, but otherwise they played with their standard formation. They were also boosted by Stefan Giglio’s return, as a substitute at the start of the second half, after a long lay-off.

Valletta did most of the running in the first half but were found wanting in their finishing. They forced a couple of early corners and Zammit twice went close before Sliema forged ahead on the quarter hour. Bajada’s free-kick from the left was headed by Chuks Nwoko at the top corner out of keeper Darmanin’s reach.

Valletta’s reaction was an Agius free-kick against the wall and a scissors kick which went off target.

Then Bondin’s squeezed shot on 23 minutes became dangerous for keeper Akanji.

Sliema looked menacing again on the half hour. Bajada exchanged the ball with Madzar before unleashing a powerful drive which keeper Darmanin did superbly well to tip over the bar into a corner.

Sliema continued to rake long balls forward, after the break, but were time and again frustrated by Valletta’s offside trap. On 56 minutes, Madzar was through, the flag remained down but Darmanin blocked into a corner with another plucky save.

Valletta also came up with a threat of their own.

Towards the hour, Falzon ran down the left flank. His diagonal low drive skimmed the upright.

Valletta were reduced to ten men ten minutes from time. Edafe was sent off for striking Bajada on the neck from behind.

That hampered Valletta’s progress further and Sliema, who created other chances through Madzar and Woods, kept them well under check in the late stages to savour another important win.