Sliema Wanderers coach Mark Marlow expressed his disappointment after a heavy defeat.

“We were aware that despite their missing players, Birkirkara were still a strong force to reckon with.”

Marlow also emphasised that his side lost important elements from last season, with the departures of Ian Azzopardi and Ivan Woods and now also Emiliano Lattes who joined the Stripes.

He blamed his side for giving away two goals – the penalty committed and the second from a free kick which the keeper fisted into play.

When Sliema failed to score a goal in the second half to pull themselves back into the match, despite playing some good football, he knew it was as good as over.

“But this is a team in transition” said Marlow. “The many young players need time and when players like Muscat, Bezzina and Mifsud Triganza are back, we will improve,” promised the Sliema coach.