BIRKIRKARA 2

SLIEMA W. 2

This draw did little to improve the teams’ precarious position in the League standings.

Birkirkara have only won one of their last seven matches and their title defence has suffered a setback as they lie in sixth place, now three points adrift of the team above them, Hamrun Spartans.

Further down, Sliema Wanderers are without a win in five matches, embroiled in the relegation zone. Sliema’s lack of punch up front was again evident yesterday, despite Obiefule’s return, although the deep runs of Mintoff and Lima caused the Birkirkara defence some uncomfortable moments.

The Wanderers conceded two goals after taking an early lead and went in 2-1 down at halftime. The Wanderers showed more attacking intent early in the second half but the tide abated after they managed to level matters.

Both sides were strengthened by the return of players after recovery. Birkirkara gave starts to Trevor Cilia and Alan Tabone, although bereft of the injured Rowen Muscat.

Sliema, in dire need of points, made the more assertive start. Obiefule’s tame header on Mintoff’s cross was saved by keeper Fraser. The Birkirkara custodian turned Scerri’s shot into a corner before Birkirkara showed up with Fenech’s shot from a distance, well blocked by keeper Aktpani.

On the quarter hour, Aktpani was forced to turn Lattes’ header, on a Cilia cross, into a corner as Birkirkara were gradually finding pace and rhythm of their own. Sliema defender Souare nearly deflected Cilia’s cross into his own net.

The Wanderers made the breakthrough however on 23 minutes. Obinna Obiefule picked a clearance on Lima’s first effort and exploited space to shoot past keeper Fraser from the edge of the area.

To their credit, Birkirkara were not demorilised. Cilia kept raking in crosses from the right. Galea headed one just wide before the Stripes restored equilibrium short of the half hour in controversial manner. They were awarded a dodgey penalty as Tabone fell inside the Sliema area when he came into contact with Gatt Baldacchino. Alan Tabone himself scored from the spot kick.

Sliema tried to react and almost scored again. Keeper Fraser palmed out Scerri’s shot. Obiefule pounced on the loose ball but put his effort wide.

On 40 minutes keeper Aktpan rushed out to block on Galea, following a Harding pass.

Two minutes before the break, Alan Tabone surprised all and sundry with a perfect lob from outside the area on the left which caught the Sliema keeper out of his line.

On the stroke of halftime, Cilia missed a good opportunity, shooting off target from an ideal position.

As the players made their way towards the tunnel at halftime, Sliema president Steve Abela verbally confronted the match officials and was eventually dismissed, forced to watch the second half from the VIP area.

Sliema upped the tempo in the second half and their equaliser on 50 minutes was more than they deserved. Obiefule foraged down the left flank, his low cross cut the entire Birkirkara backline for Mark Scerri to tap in from close range.

Birkirkara put in Pulo for the not fully fit Cilia towards the hour but failed to produce enough incisive movement among their attacking players.

Sliema’s hearts missed a beat on 68 minutes when Aktpan fumbled Lattes’ shot and on 78 minutes Pulo shot over.

The rest was all Sliema’s. Obiefule was again the provider with the pass to substitute Ciantar whose shot from the left was blocked into a corner by keeper Fraser. Mintoff’s insidious corner kick was headed out by the Birkirkara defence.

Towards the end, the sides looked happy with the point although the champions went close in the dying minutes. Fenech’s last ditch effort sailed narrowly over and substitute Terence Vella had his low drive held out by keeper Aktpan.

The match’s last shot came from Lima. But keeper Fraser was not to be deceived.

Birkirkara M. Fraser, P. Fenech, P. Borg, J. Zerafa (S. Zahra), S. Bajada, A. Tabone (T. Vella), R. Harding, T. Cilia (K. Pulo), E. Lattes, M. Galea, A. Buhagiar

Coach P. Zammit

Sliema W I. Aktpan, J. Briffa, J. Mifsud, S. Souare, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (M. Ciantar), S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, J. Mintoff (J. Paris), O. Obiefule

Coach M. Marlow

Referee G. Tonna

Asst refs A. Camilleri, P. Apap

4th official F. Zammit

Scorers O. Obiefule 23, A. Tabone 28 (pen), 43, M. Scerri 50

Yellow cards J. Briffa, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Zerafa, K. Pulo, A. Tabone, P. Fenech, S. Bezzina

Player of the match O. Obiefule (Sliema W)

TMI top 3 1. O. Obiefule 2. P. Fenech 3. J. Lima