Sliema Wanderers’ goal spree under coach Danilo Doncic continued as they hammered four more goals against Qormi yesterday to move closer to salvation, as they open an eight-point gap against bottom club Vittoriosa.

Sliema stretched their winning streak to three games, and they have kept a clean sheet in all.

Yesterday they demolished Qormi, their performance recapturing the spirit of buoyance, as their running and slick passing frustrated poor Qormi. If only Sliema had played like that from the start of the season!

The teams’ aspirations at the start of the season were surely not to play in the Relegation Pool but as things turned out the previous week, Qormi were caught up by Marsaxlokk in the dying minutes and Sliema’s win over Hibernians proved futile.

Missing the Championship Pool by a whisker, both teams’ aim will be to overcome relegation worries as early as possible now.

They therefore took into this match in full strength, only that Qormi had their regular keeper Matthew Farrugia suspended and Sliema’s Alex Muscat was nursing a recurring injury.

Sliema could afford to leave the likes of Obiefule and Lachkhim on the bench, while Qormi’s Chetcuti, Mallia and Kang were only named among the substitutes.

All the mascular endeavour left little space for good football in the opening minutes.

Qormi’s dangerous attacking force of Michael Mifsud, Bello-Osagie and Souza was kept under check, even because they were given poor service as Sliema slightly took a grip in midfield, with Failla, Scerri and Bajada establishing hegemony. Their marauding runs in open spaces stifled all of Qormi’s creativity from Joseph Farrugia and Cleaven Frendo. Even the movement of Mifsud Triganza, supported by Lima and Barbara behind him, was giving the Qormi backline some uncomfortable moments.

Qormi’s defence leaked water on 23 minutes. Scerri started the move from midfield for Bezzina who advanced down the left flank and crossed low for Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza to shoot past keeper Camilleri.

On the half hour, Bajada managed to thread his pass forward, despite the challenge of an opponent in midfield, and Mifsud Triganza darted through the middle to increase Sliema’s lead.

That double cushion put the Wanderers firmly in the driving seat and it looked extremely laborious for Qormi to take the match from their opponents in the second half.

They put in Kang and George Mallia after the resumption and tried to up the tempo, although Sliema still looked menacing going forward. Keeper Camilleri rushed off his line to block Mifsud Triganza and on 51 minutes the Sliema forward had a headed goal disallowed for offside.

A Joseph Farrugia free kick for Qormi was well saved by keeper Szentpeteri and another by Souza missed the target.

Past the hour, on Fenech’s cross, Mallia’s looping header was tipped over the bar by the Sliema keeper.

The Wanderers substituted Mifsud Triganza and Failla with Lackhem and Obiefule.

After Qormi had a Bello-Osagie shot saved by Szentpeteri and a close shave shot by Vandelanoit which went tanatalisingly wide, Sliema scored their third with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Barbara went past Bondin and Giglio as he powered his forage down the left, and crossed for Mark Scerri to tap in.

A derailed Qormi side had shown the inclination to go forward but rarely the co-ordination or penetration to disturb the Sliema goal.

There was still time for the Wanderers to score their fourth five minutes from time. Substitute Obinna Obiefule beat keeper Camilleri with his drive from the edge of the area on the right to complete the rout.

Qormi: M. Camilleri, J. Vandelanoite, S. Giglio, C. Karamanolis (H. Kang), K. Fenech (J. Chetcuti), M. Mifsud, J. Farrugia, A. Bello-Osagie, J. Bondin, C. Frendo (G. Mallia), J. Souza

Coach: S. Azzopardi

Sliema W: V. Szentpeteri, J. Briffa, J. Mifsud, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (C. Lachhem), S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima (B. Muscat), R. Bajada, C. Failla (O. Obiefule), E. Barbara

Coach: D. Doncic

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, T. Debono

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: J. P. Mifsud Triganza 23, 30, M. Scerri 74, O. Obiefule 85

Yellow cards: M. Mifsud, C. Failla. K. Fenech

Player of the match: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Sliema W)

TMI top 3: 1. J.P. Mifsud Triganza 2. R. Bajada 3. E. Barbara

Attendance: 732