Sliema Wanderers and Qormi played a drab goalless draw which served them little for their purpose of lifting themselves up the standings. Following the Birkirkara defeat at the weekend, the Wanderers missed the chance to go second behind leaders Valletta. Qormi remain fourth from bottom although they catch up with Birkirkara and Floriana on seven points.

Both sets of defences were sharper than the forwards and although Bjedov for Qormi and Obiefule went close for Sliema, they failed to break the stalemate.

For the second consecutive week, Qormi and Sliema Wanderers had to play their league match at Victor Tedesco Stadium after being postponed from its original scheduled venue at the National Stadium.

Both teams had won their previous matches. Sliema narrowly beat Vittoriosa Stars while Qormi fought back a goal deficit to defeat Tarxien Rainbows 2-1.

By virtue of his sending off in the previous match, Sliema defender Beppe Muscat was unavailable yesterday. Gatt Baldacchino and Julian Briffa played as wide backs while James Paris started the match in midfield.

Qormi had Abubaker Bello Osagie starting the match instead of Vinicius Da Silva.

In the early stages, Qormi tried to press Sliema inside their own half, allowing them no comfort on the ball.

After eight minutes, Bjedov, one of several former Sliema players in the Qormi side, exchanged the ball with Bartolo but his grounder missed the target.

When Mallia headed a Bondin cross towards the middle, Bjedov headed just wide.

When the tide abated, Sliema started to find rhythm and pace of their own.

On 20 minutes Mifsud Triganza played a through ball to Obiefule who was denied by Farrugia’s point blank save.

But for most of the second part of the first half, both sides resorted to physical play. All the muscular endevour left little space for quality football as the match was littered with stoppages. Before halftime, Sliema captain Mark Scerri had to leave the pitch after taking a hard knock and was replaced by Roderick Bajada.

Shortly after the break, Mallia ran in well inside the Sliema area but he was blocked by keeper Szentpeteri. On the other end, Obiefule had his effort blocked.

On 54 minutes, Vandelanotte headed a Frendo corner kick just wide.

Towards the hour, a dangerous Joseph Farrugia free kick was cleared by Mifsud before Vandelanotte could connect.

But play remained chaotic, with many niggling fouls and too many passes going astray.

Obiefule’s overhead kick missed the target and a Paris shot on 69 minutes was saved by the grounded keeper Farrugia.

As the match wore on and sterility reigned supreme, only a goal could break the tedium.

That failed to come as Bjedov shot wastefully over when well served by Osagie in Qormi’s late desperate effort in added time.

But a point apiece was just right. No side deserved to win.

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

Coach: M. Marlow

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Vandelanotte, S. Giglio, R. Sammut, M. Bartolo (K. Hojung), C. Bjedov, J. Farrugia, A. Bello Osagie, G. Mallia (J. Chetcuti), J. Bondin (K. Fenech), C. Frendo

Coach: S. Azzopardi

Referee: A. Azzopardi

Asst refs: J. Camilleri, W. Debattista

4th official: F. Zammit

Yellow cards: J.P. Mifsud Triganza, M. Bartolo, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, J. Briffa, C. Bjedov

Player of the match: A. Bello Osagie (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Farrugia 2. C.Gatt Baldacchino 3. A. Bello Osagie