Despite their spirited performance against Sliema Wanderers yesterday, Vittoriosa Stars were left with nothing to show at the end. The Stars were beaten by Obiefule’s solitary goal, conceded in the second half, ironically when the Wanderers were playing with ten men after Beppe Muscat’s earlier expulsion. They thus remain winless and pointless after four matches, anchored at the bottom of the table.

Sliema, technically superior to their opponents, had to labour hard for their win. After an evenly balanced first half, they broke the deadlock in the second half, albeit playing for the last half hour with a man less.

The Wanderers gave a start to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, their hero in their win against Hamrun Spartans, as James Paris was exiled to the bench. Mifsud Triganza played wide on the left flank as Obiefule was central striker, partnered by Mintoff on the right.

But Sliema’s major threat in the first 45 minutes came from Jackson Lima, who pushed forward from midfield whenever the mood took him.

His free kick midway through the first half was well saved by keeper Simon Agius, a former Sliema player until last season. Lima went close again past the half hour when Obifuele laid the ball in his path and the Brazilian’s shot went narrowly off target.

Vittoriosa were no bystanders however, as they also crowded their midfield, with Compagnoli, Dino Cachia and Kevin Mifsud allowing their opponents no comfort on the ball.

The Stars pushed forward with their flank players Leighton Grech and Jorge Silva, with Ewurum as central striker. They also caused some anxious moments to the Sliema defence and keeper Szentpeteri had to save Grech’s lob and then Ewurum’s cross shot.

With halftime looming, the Sliema keeper rushed off his line to block on Silva, just on the edge of the penalty area.

Sliema were forced to reshuffle their defence by the hour. On 55 minutes, left back Julian Briffa suffered a nose injury and had to be substituted by Paris, as Gatt Baldacchino retreated on the right and Muscat shifted on the left.

Hardly five minutes later, the latter was sent off after collecting his second caution of the match, following a foul on Silva.

Compagnoli tested keeper Szentpeteri with a powerful direct free kick on 65 minutes as Vittoriosa tried to exploit their numerical superiority.

But the goal came on the other end. On 69 minutes, Mintoff played the ball square inside the crowded Vittoriosa area and as Obinne Obiefule was left unattended, he slotted the ball low past the helpless Agius.

With Sliema taking a laid back approach to defend their minimal lead, Vittoriosa pushed forward with late efforts.

To Ewurum fell the best chance on 87 minutes. His first effort was parried by the keeper and then the Vittoriosa player shot the loose ball weakly on the grounded Szentpeteri and the chance went to waste.

On the other end, Sliema had what looked legitimate claims for a penalty turned down by the referee when substitute Micallef bundled Obiefule inside the area.

On a positive note for the Wanderers, Roderick Bajada made a substitute appearance, after a long lay off, three minutes from the end.

Vittoriosa S: S. Agius, P. Aquilina (C. Micallef), S. Pace (J. Spiteri), J. Chetcuti, C. Compagnoli, D. Cachia (M. Brincat), K. Mifsud, J. Santos Silva, A. Ewurum, S. Wellman, L. Grech

Coach: W. Muscat

Sliema W: V.Szentpeteri, J. Briffa (J. Paris), J. Mifsud, S. Souare, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (M. Ciantar), C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, O. Obiefule, J. Mintoff (R. Bajada), B. Muscat

Coach: M. Marlow

Referee: M. Apap

Asst refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: O. Obiefule 69

Yellow cards: B. Muscat, J. Mintoff, S. Wellman, L. Grech, K. Mifsud

Red cards: B. Muscat

Player of the match: J. Mintoff (Sliema W)

TMI Top 3: 1. J. Mintoff 2. J. Lima 3. J. Santos Silva