Sliema W.-Valletta 2-0
Sliema: V. Szentpeteri, I. Azzopardi, B. Muscat, S. Souare, M. Scerri (A. Muscat 69), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (O. Obiefule 46), A. Portulez (V. Alinho 46), E. Lattes, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods, J. Mintoff.
Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, S. Borg, R. Dos Santos, R. Briffa, E. Agius (C. Frendo 46), K. Sammut, D. Falzon (T. Scerri 59), I. Zammit (O. Temile 49), H. Ottoni
Referee: C. Pisani
Scorers: Valdo Alinho, Obinna Obiefule
Yellow cards: S. Souare, K. Sammut, I. Woods
Sliema Wanderers claimed the first honour of the season - the Euro Cup - beating Valletta 2-0 with two second half goals scored by their two substitutes.
Sliema and Valletta easily beat Birkirkara in their opening match, with the Citizens needing only a draw to lift the cup having a better goal difference.
It was a balanced encounter with the Wanderers having the edge in the second half as Mark Marlow’s substitutions made in the interval proved to be a winning move as they scored the two goals that mattered.
Both teams had some regular players missing with Clayton Failla and Josef Mifsud missing for the Blues with Valletta missing the services of skipper Gilbert Agius, midfielder Jamie Pace and defender Kenneth Scicluna.
Both sets did their best in the first half but scoring chances were very few. On 15 minutes a Kevin Samnmut freekick slightly missed the upright, and a Dyson Falzon dipper had similar results.
Sliema’s best move came just before the break with Andrew Hogg saving Emiliano Lattes’ good shot.
The Wanderers started the second half on a high with a John Mintoff header slightly missing the target.
Six minutes into the second half Sliema took the lead when Emiliano Lattes crossed towards Valdo Alhinho, whose was apparently defelcted by a Valletta defender before beating Hogg.
Valletta made the expected reaction but missed two good chances through Terence Scerri and Temile.
On 77 minutes Sliema sealed the issue with the second goal. Obinna Obiefule splendid shot from just inside the area gave Andrew Hogg no chance to save as the Wanderers won the first honour of the season.