Substitute Obiefule scored a late penalty of immeasurable importance for Sliema Wanderers that gave them a win against ‘Old Firm’ rivals Floriana.

Apart from the pride at stake of such a fixture, this win leaves Sliema with some flickering hope of making it to the Championship Pool, although it does not depend entirely on themselves.

With one match to go, the Wanderers are now one point behind Qormi and Hamrun Spartans as the fight for early survival tightens up.

After a week of internal turmoil off the pitch, Floriana thus succumbed to their second consecutive defeat and lost further ground with the top two.

Both teams showed a rift of changes in their line-ups due to injuries and suspensions, following embarrassing defeats for both the previous week.

Sliema even had new coach Danilo Doncic on the bench after parting with Marlow during the week. It was no memorable debut for the Serb, who included new signing Etienne Barbara from the start and preferred Mifsud Triganza to Obiefule in attack. The Wanderers had Mark Scerri and Jackson Lima suspended. Defender Beppe Muscat was not fully fit and Julian Briffa was given the nod after a long absence.

Floriana were also bereft of the suspended Tyron Farrugia and Manolito Micallef. Coach Raykov dropped Duncan Pisani and Christian Caruana to the bench, although the latter replaced the injured Draganov towards the end of the first half. Owen Bugeja played as centre back and Sascha Borg as left back. The still injured Daniel Nwoke was again missing.

The first noteworthy episode came about after five minutes play. Sliema defender Gatt Baldacchino blatantly pushed Ivan Woods inside the area but the referee was in benevolent mood and the infringement went unpunished.

The Wanderers carved out the better chances during the first 45 minutes but were frustrated time and again by the superlative goalkeeping of Lotfi Saidi.

Towards the half hour, the Floriana shot stopper turned Ciantar’s shot into a corner from Failla’s free kick.

Minutes later, Saidi acrobatically stretched himself backwards to hold out Lachkhim’s looping header on Barbara’s cross from the byeline on the left.

But it was still goalless at halftime.

The second half turned out to be more eventful although the quality of play remained poor, often stifled by the muscular endeavour. Suffice to say, seven players were cautioned and one sent off.

Sascha Borg shot straight on Szentpeteri, turning the ball into a corner. On the other end, Lachkhem’s shot was repelled by Saidi.

Sliema put in Obiefule past the hour and Saidi produced a superb reflex save on a close range effort by Barbara. Obiefule was blocked by the grounded Bugeja as he connected on a Briffa low cross. Floriana replied with a Caruana shot, released by Woods, held out by Szentpeteri.

Sliema exerted some pressure in the late stages, after Noel Turner had even gone in as a substitute. Bezzina’s shot hit the outside of the post from the left.

One minute from normal time, Floriana conceded a penalty when Said fouled Barbara inside the area. This time the referee managed to spot the infringement and Obinna Obiefule beat the Floriana keeper with a low drive to put Sliema in front.

Five minutes of added time led to a turbulent end to the match. Obiefule ran unhindered inside the area. His shot rebounded off the foot of the post and when Lachkhem latched on an Obiefule cross in front of goal, he was denied by Saidi.

Floriana could have levelled matters but substitute Pisani skied the ball on a Doffo cross and then had defender Thomas Paris sent off for dissent.

Floriana: L. Saidi, B. Said, T. Paris, S. Borg, O. Bugeja, C. Borg (D. Pisani), P. Doffo, J. Borg, I. Woods, K. Dzhorov (M. Fernandez), D. Draganov (C. Caruana)

Coach: T. Raykov

Sliema W: V. Szentpeteri, J. Briffa, S. Bezzina, J. Mifsud, C. Gatt Baldacchino, C. Failla, M. Ciantar (N. Turner), R. Bajada, E. Barbara, C. Lachkhem (J. Paris), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (O. Obiefule)

Coach: D. Doncic

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst. refs: P. Agius, M. Mercieca

4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: O. Obiefule 89 pen

Yellow cards: P. Doffo, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Ciantar, J. Briffa, S. Borg, O. Obiefule, E. Barbara

Red card: T. Paris

Player of the match: P. Doffo (Floriana)

TMI top 3: 1. L. Saidi 2. P. Doffo 3. C. Lachkhem