Msida SJ-Sliema W 0-1

Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima, T. Farrugia, J. Mifsud, D. Cachia (S. Vella), P. Fenech, A. Farrugia (R. Baldacchino), S. Bajada (M. Ellul), O. Zongo, D. Nwoke

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

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri 4th official: M. Borg

Scorer: A. Madzar

Yellow card: S. Grima, S. Giglio, I. Woods, D. Carabott

Player of the match: Murphy Akanji (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. M. Akanji 2. T. Farrugia 3. R. Bajada

While local football was mourning the passing away of young referee Sadia Mizzi, with a minute silence before kick-off, a first half goal, netted by Aleksander Madzar, gave Sliema their second consecutive victory over Msida St Joseph to put them in second place of the Championship Pool and close the gap on leaders Marsaxlokk to three points. Marsaxlokk play Hibernians this afternoon.

Equally significant in Sliema’s win yesterday was goalkeeper Murphy Akanji who frustrated the Saints time and again as they probed relentlessly for an equaliser, especially in the second half.

In all fairness Msida deserved at least a draw in this evenly balanced match but only one win in their last seven league matches might suggest they are sliding backwards.

The sides did not change much from their last encounter only a fortnight ago. Msida had defender Sciriha back after suspension but Babatunde was again missing from their striking force. Sliema Wanderers were bereft of the injured Muscat but coach Farrugia gave a start to Giglio.

The match had a cagey start with most of play concentrated in midfield. The Wanderers had Pace as a holding midfielder in front of a four-man defence with Giglio and Bajada operating from central midfield and Woods supporting the attacking duo of Nwoko and Madzar.

Msida’s crowded midfield allowed Sliema little comfort on the ball. Both defences were largely untroubled by the first half hour during which Nwoko’s shot on the turn was well saved by keeper Borg and on the other end, a Cachia long range shot was tipped into a corner over the bar by the Sliema keeper Akanji.

Sliema made the breakthrough towards the half hour. Pace played a through ball for Aleksander Madzar to advance unhindered and beat Borg with a low drive.

Msida’s reaction did not take long to come by. Akanji thwarted Tyrone Farrugia, stopping his firm header on Bajada’s free-kick and when Zongo played the ball wide to Adrian Farrugia, his shot was deflected into a corner by Dilello.

Msida substituted Adrian Farrugia with Baldacchino at halftime and three minutes after the restart, Sliema were forced to substitute the injured defender Ciantar with Carabott.

Msida took a more direct approach, forcing a series of corners. A Zongo shot was saved by Akanji who also turned Bajada’s curling free-kick into a corner. On the hour, Tyrone Farrugia’s effort on a Bajada free-kick demanded another decent save from Akanji, plunging to his right to save into a corner.

Anonam’s inclusion instead of Nwoko did not change Sliema’s tactical plan but with the danger that they would buckle under Msida’s mounting pressure, Sliema put in Turner for Madzar for the last 15 minutes and retreated deeper.

For all their efforts, Msida lacked the required penetration to unlock the Wanderers’ watertight defence as they surrendered to that half-hour goal by Madzar.