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

Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima, J. Mifsud, S. Vella (K. Ebejer), T. Farrugia (I. Babatunde), D. Cachia, P. Fenech, A. Farrugia, S. Bajada, R. Baldacchino (R. Montebello)

Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, J. Camilleri 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: I. Woods (3), I. Babatunde, P. Fenech

Yellow cards: S. Vella, B. Said, R. Bajada

Player of the match: Ivan Woods (Sliema Wanderers)

TMI Top three: 1. R. Bajada 2. I. Woods 3. P. Fenech

Three goals ahead long before halftime, the Wanderers looked to have had their work finished early against a below par Msida St Joseph, who cannot seem to rid themselves of the slump that has dogged the second part of the season.

But a sudden surprising burst in the second half by the Saints, saw them cut the deficit to just one goal, leaving complacent and wasteful Sliema hanging desperately to their minimal lead for the last ten minutes of the game.

With Marsaxlokk winning on Saturday and opening a nine-point gap at the top, and third-placed Birkirkara hot on their heels, the pressure turned on Sliema Wanderers who knew they could not afford to drop any points at this stage.

Yesterday the Saints were missing the services of their three Nigerian strikers. Zongo and Nwoke were omitted from the squad as Babatunde started on the bench and went in as a second half substitute for the injured Tyrone Farrugia.

In their absence, Msida’s attack was toothless and it was hard to see Baldacchino or Bajada improving their side’s recent low scoring ratio.

Sliema’s rearguard was yesterday boosted by the return of Dilello.

The Wanderers were three goals up within the first 34 minutes, with Ivan Woods scoring a hat-trick in the process. He first ran in to connect to Bajada’s cross, which the Msida defence failed to clear after ten minutes, and finish off from close range. Past the half hour, he converted a penalty awarded to Sliema when Vella fouled Giglio inside the area and then on 34 minutes, Woods stooped low to control Giglio’s long ball forward and volley past the helpless Msida keeper Borg.

As Sliema eased down, Msida came up with some more vigour in the second period, especially after Babatunde’s inclusion, although the Wanderers still looked menacing on the breaks. When Bajada put Madzar through, he was denied by Borg, saving into a corner. Woods was substituted before the hour.

Ibrahim Babatunde pulled one back for Msida shortly past the hour, with a rasping low shot from outside the area that surprised keeper Akanji. But the wasteful Wanderers themselves were guilty of missing further opportunities through Giglio.

They nearly paid the penalty when Msida scored their second with ten minutes remaining. Paul Fenech’s close range shot was palmed out by keeper Akanji but Fenech was alert to head in the rebound and suddenly pull his side within reaching distance.

The final stages were tense as Msida tried to mount some late pressure. Sliema survived another scare when Mifsud picked a loose ball, after Akanji had lost possession, but shot off target with an unattended goal. Sliema held on grimly to win this match – just enough to keep the pressure on leaders Marsaxlokk – albeit with the narrowest of margins.