Marsaxlokk: J. Haber, C. Mamo, L. Dimech, C. Magro, J. Pace (P. Pullicino), K. Sammut, M. Licari (C. Frendo), G. Sciberras, D. Bogdanovic, U. Nwoko (H. Doda), A. Schembri

Sliema W: M. Akanji (H. Bonello), B. Said, L. Lombardi, C. Mattocks, R. Bajada (C. Nwoko), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, A. Madzar, S. Giglio, S. Pace, J. Brincat (O. Anonam)

Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs; P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: S. Giglio, I. Woods, A. Madzar (2), D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: A. Schembri,L. Lombardi, C. Mamo

Red card: A. Schembri

Player of the match: Alexander Madzar (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. S. Giglio 2. A. Madar 3. L. Lombardi

Sliema Wanderers closed the gap to six points on league leaders Marsaxlokk after beating them 4-1 yesterday to open up the championship race temporarily, with a round to go.

The Wanderers managed to strangle life out of Marsaxlokk’s attacking options and after taking an early lead, capitalised on their numerical superiority to hit three more goals in the second half.

This was Marsaxlokk’s first league defeat in 22 matches and only their second of the season. Although six points is still a healthy lead, it is to be seen how adversely will this defeat effect the South seasiders for the rest of the campaign.

Marsaxlokk did fight gamely enough, showing their usual inclination to go forward, but lacked the penetration to unlock Sliema's defence. They were hampered by Schembri’s dismissal as they played with ten men for the entire second half. Showing vulnerability at the back, they were caught cold by Sliema’s lethal counter attacks, with Aleksander Madzar their most dangerous executioner.

Keeper Akanji was again in majestic form yesterday, as he unveiled two stunning crucial saves in the first half before leaving the pitch injured late in the game.

Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot did not tamper much with his line-up except for the returning Haber in goal and Nwoko starting the match instead of Frendo.

Sliema had Lombardi back, playing a blinder in defence, and Brincat was included in the starting line-up, but he lasted only 37 minutes on the pitch and had to be substituted with Anonam. Woods also recovered in time to make his appearance.

Going into the game with an excellent vein of form, both sides showed their attacking intent. With Birkirkara hot on their heels, the Wanderers could not afford a slip besides the fact that a win would have given them fresh hopes.

Marsaxlokk’s first real threat came from Bogdanovic after 12 minutes but keeper Akanji repelled his shot single handedly into a corner.

Only a minute later, Sliema took the lead as Stefan Giglio rifled an unstoppable shot from outside the area to beat Haber.

The Wanderers took a laid back approach after that, even because Marsaxlokk pressed them tightly inside their half and went close again with a Bogdanovic volley, denied by Akanji and when Schembri headed down Bogdanovic’s cross to the unmarked Nwoko, the latter hit the ball tamely into Akanji’s safe hands.

The Sliema rearguard held on to Marsaxlokk’s relentless attacks but the leaders suffered a setback on the stroke of half time when Andre Schembri was sent off after protesting vivaciously and too long with the referee, claiming a foul when he was sandwiched between two opponents.

Sliema soon capitalised after the restart. Within two minutes, Ivan Woods flicked in the ball beyond Haber’s reach with his outstretched foot, after good work and a teasing cross by Bajada from the right.

Two goals in arrears, coach Talbot effected his three substitutions simultaneously on 55 minutes, putting in Pullicino, Frendo and Doda for Pace, Licari and Nwoko.

Marsaxlokk continued to produce a network of passes but were hardly productive against a solid Sliema rearguard.

In fact the Wanderers stretched their lead further on 65 minutes when Aleksander Madzar ran in for Mattocks’ through ball, resisted Mamo’s challenge and beat Haber with a low diagonal shot.

Marsaxlokk salvaged some pride two minutes later, hitting one back when Doda’s shot, on Sammut’s through pass, beat Akanji, rebounded off the foot of the post for Daniel Bogdanovic to tap in the loose ball.

But Sliema still looked deadly on the break and exploited gaps ruthlessly in the Marsaxlokk defence, again on 76 minutes. Lombardi’s clearance from inside his box fell to Woods on the left, who crafted his cross towards Giglio. The latter cleared Madzar to chip the ball beautifully over Haber when off his line.

After the goal, keeper Akanji limped off the pitch, probably with a strained muscle after he fell awkwardly to intercept the ball, to be replaced by the promising Bonello, who also distinguished himself with two good saves off Pullicino and Bogdanovic.

Marsaxlokk were spared further derision in the late stages as Madzar’s goal-bound effort narrowly missed the target and then keeper Haber saved Woods’ penalty kick after Dimech had floored Chucks Nwoko.

But that mattered little for Sliema who ended up undisputed winners of this top of the table clash.