Sliema W 2
San Gwann 0
This was a game that matched the bleak weather at the Centenary Stadium and forgotten long before the floodlights were turned off.
Premier side Sliema, were widely expected to beat Division I opponents San Gwann but their lackluster performance and the way they scored their two goals, did little to help them win football friends. Yesterday, they were only a collection of individuals.
Despite their expensive reinforcements, and fielding a full team, the Wanderers were poor and utterly unremarkable. In the togetherness and work ethics of San Gwann we saw some of what their rivals have been lacking of late.
San Gwann made some changes from the side that went down to Floriana in the FA Trophy the previous weekend. Keeper Jean Vella, Neil Curmi, Ryan Sell and Clint Gatt were relegated to the bench, to make way for other youngsters.
The difference in class between the two sides was hardly evident on the pitch during the first half. Sliema looked shorn of ideas, unable to produce any fluidity in their play and San Gwann could control the proceedings with little difficulty.
Sliema fluffed an early chance after 11 minutes when from a Fenech corner, Mifsud failed to put his header on target.
Towards the half hour, Mifsud Triganza played a quick free kick to the advancing Bartolo but was blocked by the onrushing keeper Spiteri inside the area.
Sliema’s goal towards the half hour came almost by accident. Hesitation between San Gwann’s defender Caruana and his goalkeeper, allowed Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza to nip in between them and kick the ball into an unattended goal.
In the first half, San Gwann only showed up with an Aboulezz free kick, easily saved by the otherwise inoperative keeper Agius.
The Wanderers put in Ivan Woods for Bartolo at the start of the second half but remained largely ineffective, unable to knit three or four passes together. In fact most of the afternoon’s few pleasing passes came from San Gwann. It is a pity that the First Division side were toothless in attack and only looked menacing with a late Cumbo free kick, palmed out by keeper Agius
Fenech headed Woods’ cross over for Sliema and on 70 minutes, they introduced Miguel Ciantar for the same Fenech.
Even Isaac’s introduction seven minutes from time failed to lift Sliema’s spirits although on the stroke of time, Mark Scerri received Woods pass and advanced to avoid the onrushing San Gwann keeper and shoot low to score his side’s second goal. But that did little to dispel the memories of the Wanderers’ poor performance on the afternoon.
Sliema W: S. Agius, I. Azzopardi, J. Mifsud, R. Fenech (M. Ciantar), M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (H. Isaac), M. Bartolo (I. Woods), C. Gatt Baldacchino, L. Dronca, I. Ciantar, C. Failla
San Gwann: J. Spiteri, C. Giordimaina, L. Cumbo, M. Francica, M. Caruana, A. Borg, C. Cuschieri (R. Sammut), P. Aboulezz, Q. Bregman (C. Gatt), L. Bonett (V. Brincat), S. Pisani
Referee: A. Casha