Qormi-Sliema W. 0-0

Qormi and Sliema Wanderers played a goalless draw despite creating some good scoring opportunities, but were themselves guilty of some profligacy that cost them the win.

A point apiece means Sliema remain one point above Qormi in the standings, but fall further adrift of Marsaxlokk after the latter’s win against Birkirkara in the afternoon’s other match.

Injuries and suspensions deprived both teams of some key players. Sliema were without Josef Mifsud, John Mintoff and Obiefule. Gatt Baldcchino played in central defence alongside Bezzina, with Failla and Muscat wide backs. Adam Spiteri was also given a start as Miguel Ciantar was exiled to the bench.

Qormi were still missing the injured Josef Farrugia, Stefan Giglio and Roderick Sammut. Cleaven Frendo started the match instead of Buttigieg, with Matthew Bartolo playing in an unusual role of right back.

Qormi looked sharper on the ball in the opening stages and ventured more into enemy territory, mostly through the pacey runs of Bello-Osagie and Souza.

After eight minutes Chetcuti won a challenge with Gatt Baldacchino on the edge of the Sliema area, laid the ball to Souza whose shot was blocked. Towards the quarter hour, Souza’s scissors kick was blocked by Gatt Baldacchino into a corner.

Sliema’s best chance of the half came on 17 minutes. Frendo’s headed clearance on Lachkhem’s cross fell to Mifsud Triganza whose half volley was superbly repelled by keeper Camilleri.

Towards the end of the half, with play becoming rather scrappy and disjointed, Scerri played the ball back from the byeline on the left, but Mifsud Triganza lofted his effort from a good position.

Things did not improve much after the restart, with the ball kicked from one box to the other with little purpose, although there were half chances at both ends.

Souza shot Bartolo’s low cross over before Sliema had claims for a penalty turned down by the referee when Vandelanoite’s extended hand came into contact with Lachkhem’s cross.

Kang’s header on a Bartolo corner was saved by keeper Szentpeteri and on 73 minutes, from Chetcuti playes a short corner to Bello Osagie whose shot was blocked by the Sliema keeper into another corner. Minutes later Bello-Osagie played an intelligent pass forward to Souza but keeper Szentpeteri rushed off his line to smother the danger.

That heralded Qormi’s best spell of the match and three minutes from the end, Bello Osagie’s header from a Bartolo corner was cleared on the line by Beppe Muscat.

Sliema, who earlier had gone close with substitute Ciantar’s shot on the turn from a Lima cross, could have clinched the points in added time. Ciantar lobbed the ball for substitute Obiefule who ran clear inside the Qormi area but with only the keeper in his way, sent his shot wastefully wide.

Qormi: M. Camilleri, J. Vandelanoite, M. Bartolo (G. Buttigieg), K. Fenech, J. Chetcuti, A. Bello Osagie, G. Mallia, J. Bondin, C. Frendo (L. Sciberras), H. Kang, J. Souza

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

Referee: M. Apap asst.refs: A. Camilleri, M. Mercieca 4th official: E. Azzopardi

Yellow cards: K. Fenech, B. Muscat, J. Bondin

Player of the match: J. Vandelanoite (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Bello-Osagie 2. M. Scerri 3. J. Vandelanoite