Frank Temile scored two goals of immeasurable importance yesterday to help Valletta stretch their unbeaten run to 16 league matches as problems continue to pile up for struggling Sliema Wanderers.

By virtue of this win, Valletta keep their stranglehold on the standings, and some say also on the championship, as they outplayed their opponents almost in all departments as their implicit superiority started to show shortly before halftime.

Incidentally, Valletta’s last league defeat was against Sliema Wanderers, way back in October.

Sliema were well aware that only a win would suffice at this stage to keep them in the title hunt and coach Azzopardi reshuffled his side, in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with the inclusion of Chetcuti, Scerri, Briffa and Anonam in the starting line-up. Woods was missing through suspension as Nisevic was relegated to the bench.

But all their promise proved hollow at the end as they again failed to make an impact against a resolute Valletta rearguard. Sliema faded out in the second half, after an acceptable first 45 minutes, and their midfielders Bajada, Da Silva and Briffa in particular were anonymous and eventually all three were substituted. They ran the risk of being flattened completely by the engine of a Valletta juggernaut.

Buoyed by their previous success over Floriana, the leaders were further strengthened by the return of Bezzina and Backhaus after suspension, but Giglio started on the bench.

Valletta made the early running as Sliema took a more cautious approach but went close after eight minutes with a Briffa header saved by keeper Hogg.

Valletta’s assertive start and flowing play had Sliema back pedalling. Keeper Bonello, again preferred to Akanji in the Sliema goal, rushed out to reach before Monesterolo on Zammit’s cross.

The Sliema shot stopper smothered Camilleri’s direct free kick as another Agius set piece, missed the goal by inches.

Although goalmouth action remained at a premium, Valletta upped the tempo in the half’s late stages. On 44 minutes Monesterolo’s shot on the turn was tipped over the bar by the alert Bonello.

And deep into three minutes of added time, Valletta broke the deadlock. Zammit’s corner caused near panic inside the Sliema area. The keeper held out Monesterolo’s header but Frank Temile picked up the loose ball and shot in from near the post. The timing and execution of the goal was almost identical to winner scored against Floriana the previous week by the same Valletta striker.

Sliema tried to recover from that setback in the second half but Valletta’s defence had few problems stifling the Wanderers’ forays as keeper Hogg remained resolutely untested.

It was Valletta, with Falzon replacing Zammit, who remained the more dangerous in attack and towards the hour Monesterolo was put clear by Agius but keeper Bonello blocked his effort on the ground.

Sliema put in Carlos Ventura for Briffa to add some required impetus but hardly to any avail.

Valletta remained the more potent in attack as Temile was tormenting the Wanderers with his pacey runs from both flanks. On 73 minutes, Camilleri put him going from midfield, his cross was well met by Falzon but the finish lacked the required power.

Three minutes later, Temile gain provided a teasing cross from the right to Agius, who tried to lob the ball over Bonello, but the Sliema keeper read his intentions.

With three minutes remaining, Frank Temile took the ball into his stride from midfield, advanced on the left and running clear of two opponents, slided his shot beyond the advancing Bonello’s reach.

Sliema were dismantled as all their aspirations go up in smoke.

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Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, B. Said, M. Scerri, A. Da Silva (B. Nisevic), R. Bajada (I. Ciantar), M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, O. Anonam, J. Vella, R. Briffa (C. Ventura)

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina (B. Agius), I. Zammit (D. Falzon), D. Camilleri, H. Backhaus, F. Temile, G. Agius (S. Giglio), S. Monesterolo

Referee: P. Caruana asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: F. Temile (2)

Yellow cards: M. Scerri, A. Muscat, F. Temile, A. Hogg

Player of the match: Frank Temile (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. F. Temile 2. G. Agius 3. H. Bonello