Valletta 4 Sliema W. 0

After their upset against Tarxien Rainbows last week, Sliema Wanderers met another irresistible force called Valletta yesterday and were heavily beaten by four clear goals.

Nine points off the pace, Sliema’s crisis of form deepens. The Wanderers were caught flat footed by Valletta’s early lead and there was only one team in it when midway through the second half Valletta converted a dodgy penalty in what looked a very harsh decision.

With a very slow defence, short of creative options in midfield and a toothless attack, Sliema never stood a chance.

Valletta were always superior and calmly dismantled their opponents, capitalizing on their flaws in defence. And with strength in depth being among the more obvious differences between the teams, Valletta won convincingly to go seven points clear, leaving Hamrun Spartans and Floriana to chase.

Valletta made a tactical change from the previous match. In the absence of Ramon Dos Santos, injured during training, Steve Borg moved to centre back alongside Caruana as Roderick Briffa played as right back. Gilbert Agius started the match as holding midfielder.

Sliema had their captain Mark Scerri back after missing the previous outing. Julian Briffa started on the bench, meaning that Gatt Baldacchino played as right back.

In a very quiet start, the two teams could produce only two goals on target in the first quarter hour. Lima tested keeper Hogg with a shot from edge of area and on the other end, Denni Dos Santos’ effort was easily saved by the Sliema keeper Szentpeteri.

But Valletta were the first to break the deadlock after 19 minutes. Gilbert Agius played a through ball to Denni Dos Santos who ran through the middle of the slow Sliema defence to beat keeper Szentpeteri with a low drive.

Valletta somehow eased down, happy to control the proceedings. It was up to the Wanderers to make a reaction. But that was rather flaccid from the Blues. Obiefule’s looping header on Gatt Baldacchino’s cross was turned over the bar into a corner by keeper Hogg.

Past the half hour Obiefule laid down the ball for Lima to shoot and keeper Hogg save into a corner.

And with halftime looming, Mintoff’s low cross caused panic inside the Valletta area when the defence took long to clear. Lima’s grounder finally was blocked by the keeper.

The second half provided even less scoring opportunities and lacked excitement as Sliema struggled to find a way past the watertight Valletta defence.

When Obiefule was allowed to turn inside the area, he shot wide.

Sammut should have done better when, unmarked, picked an erratic defensive clearance but shot feebly on the keeper.

The most talked about episode was the penalty incident awarded to Valletta on 67 minutes, which practically killed all Sliema hopes. Terence Scerri went inside the Sliema area and fell too hastily as he came in contact with Souare, in what looked like a fair challenge. But referee Sant was quick to point towards the penalty spot amidst Sliema’s justified protests. Terence Scerri himself tucked it away and Sliema threw down the towel.

That enabled Valletta to dominate completely.

Briffa breezed inside the Sliema area but Mark Scerri was equal to task with his timely tackle.

Obiefule did not reach for Paris through pass.

On 85 minutes, Terence Scerri ran unhindered but keeper Szentpeteri blocked his shot. Substitute Zammit pounced on the loose ball and advanced but his shot from a tight angle was cleared off the line by Souare.

Valletta’s superiority equated into two more late goals within the last four minutes. Denni Dos Santos' deep cross from the right fell to the unmarked Temile who crossed for Gilbert Agius to stoop low and head in.

One minute from time, and with the Sliema defence completely in disarray, Zammit crossed from the right and other substitute Edmond Zammit completed the rout.

Valletta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, G. Agius (E. Agius), J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, J. Pace, K. Sammut (I. Zammit), D. Falzon (O. Temile), T. Scerri, D. Dos Santos

Coach: J. Zerafa

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

Coach: M. Marlow

Referee: A.M. Sant

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri

4th official: G. Tonna

Scorers: D. Dos Santos 19, T. Scerri 67 pen, G. Agius 86, E. Agius 89

Yellow cards: D. Dos Santos, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, J. Mifsud, J. Caruana

Player of the match: G. Agius (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. D. Dos Santos 2. G. Agius 3. M. Scerri

Attendance: 1,427