SLIEMA WANDERERS 2
PIETA HOTSPURS 1
Sliema W: M. Akanji, A. Muscat (B. Nisevic), I. Azzopardi (O. Anonam), B. Said, M. Scerri, R. Bajada, M. Bartolo (N. Turner), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, R. Briffa, E. Barbara
Pieta H: M. Montfort, C. Cassar, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, Q. Refalo (D. Kokavessis), C. Pulo, C. Sammut, D. Mifsud (R. Grippa), E. Herrera (D. Gera), R. Galabaov
Referee: S. Tanti Asst.refs: K. Borg, J. Spiteri 4th official: P. Caruana
Scorers: C. Pulo, B. Sciberras o.g., O. Anonam
Player of the match: Matthew Bartolo (Sliem W)
TMI top three: 1. R. Briffa 2. D. Mifsud 3. M. Bartolo
Sliema Wanderers squeezed past Pieta Hotspurs to move on equal points with Valletta and Marsaxlokk at the top of the league standings, although the former have two more games to play to end their first phase commitments.
Although minimal, Sliema’s victory was a deserved one as their attacking intentions were the clearer, with midfielder Roderick Briffa being the inspiration for most of their creativity.
The Wanderers’ sense of unease was palpable in the early stages after they fell in arrears after only three minutes. But a Pieta own goal from defender Sciberras close to 20 minutes, enabled them to dust themselves and take the initiative from their opponents for the rest of the match.
Sliema had Andre Da Silva suspended and gave a start to Matthew Bartolo, who was always menacing with his forays down the flanks.
Pieta, who were also missing the services of the suspended Kondev in midfield, could not have had a better start when forging ahead with hardly three minutes on the clock. Carl Pulo headed in Deanov’s free kick from the right, surprising the unsettled Sliema defence.
The Wanderers in fact took some time to recover and on 12 minutes Refalo netted Herrera’s cross but, luckily for Sliema, the goal was disallowed for an offside position.
Equilibrium was restored after 19 minutes, courtesy of an own goal by Bernard Sciberras, as the Pieta defender beat his own keeper when trying to clear a Briffa low cross from the right.
Sliema appeared less apprehensive and gradually took the bit between their teeth as they started to surmount some sustained pressure. Woods ran in well for Scerri’s splitting pass but shot inches wide.
A Bajada long range shot midway through the half was ably turned into a corner by the stretched keeper Montfort and on a Bajada corner, Said’s free header was comfortably saved by the Pieta keeper.
On 37 minutes Sliema’s defender Alex Muscat injured himself, probably pulling a muscle, as he ran in for a deep cross, and was forced to leave the pitch. Nisevic went in, deployed in central defence as Chetcuti moved wide as right back.
That tactical change did not hamper Sliema’s progress who carved two other scoring opportunities before the break through Barbara. His low shot on a Bartolo cross was saved by Montfort. His second, into added time, went tantalisingly wide.
Sliema kept up the pressure even after the restart. Montfort blocked on Barbara in front of goal as Briffa’s effort on the loose ball was deflected into a corner by Sammut.
On 53 minutes, Montfort was stretched to the limit, tipping Woods’ effort over the bar.
Towards the hour, Pieta, who had already substituted Refalo with Kokavessis, had to make do without the injured Herrera, substituted by Gera.
Sliema’s perseverance paid dividends on 68 minutes when Orosco Anonam, who had been on the field for only three minutes, ran well onto Woods’ pass to beat Galabov’s challenge and keeper Montfort with a diagonal low drive.
Sliema showed more confidence in their play and remained by far the more potent attacking force but were unable to increase their lead.
By contrast, Pieta had been rendered helpless and looked too short of conviction to take anything from this match.