Sliema Wanderers made the better of the circumstances to beat Floriana and move up to second place with Hibernians, thus inflicting the first league defeat on the Greens in this ‘Old Firm’ clash.

Both teams ended up with ten men. Sliema had Ryan Grech sent off early after 36 minutes for two bookable offences and then Floriana also had their Ghana keeper Amamoo sent off upon his debut, for handling the ball outside the area on 66 minutes.

For long periods play was evenly balanced, with Floriana likely to take the upperhand at the start of the second half when enjoying numerical advantage, but with numerical parity restored, Sliema clasped the opportunity.

The decisive goal was scored by their forward and best player Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the last quarter hour, when the Wanderers took the bit between their teeth to finish off worthy winners.

Sliema had Alex Muscat back in the starting line-up after a long lay off and was handed the team’s captaincy. Rumen Galabov made his debut in central defence, with Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Beppe Muscat and Mark Scerri starting on the bench.

Sliema did not look effected by the news of their president’s resignation during the week. They put some early pressure with their forages down the flanks but the Floriana defence held out and when the Greens gradually settled into the match, they looked menacing towards the quarter hour with a fast break. Cassar’s shot, after two body feints, was saved by Sliema keeper Bonello.

Past the half hour, Silva ran down the right flank but shot off target.

The half’s most noteworthy episode came on 36 minutes when Ryan Grech was shown a second yellow card and eventually sent off, leaving Sliema down to ten men.

Still, the Wanderers went close three minutes before the break when Muscat played the ball towards Mifsud Triganza who turned and shot, only to be deflected into a corner.

Trying to exploit their numerical superiority, Floriana put in additional striker Joseph Okonkwo for Thomas Paris for the second half. And put the Wanderers under some sustained pressure. Okonkwo headed a Cassar free kick just wide and a Doffo second free kick caused some anxious moments in the Sliema rearguard.

To mitigate the danger, Sliema coach Doncic put in Gatt Baldacchino for Mitev and advanced Muscat in midfield, only until the Floriana keeper Amamoo was also sent off on 66 minutes after handling a long ball outside the penalty area.

Sliema were quick to substitute Muscat with Mark Scerri as reserve keeper Bartolo went in for Odwong.

Sliema countered and on 74 minutes they forged ahead. Silva played the ball wide to Lima, whose low powerful drive was parried by keeper Bartolo but Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was quick to knock in the loose ball.

Floriana looked drained of ideas and were unable to put a reaction. Sliema looked better poised to exploit spaces, inspired by the runs of Mifsud Triganza. The Sliema forward had a dipping shot turned over the bar into a corner and nine minutes from time, Mifsud Triganza went past Bugeja on a Silva through pass but his shot clipped the post.

Floriana W. Amamoo, O. Bugeja (J. Borg), M. Micallef, T. Farrugia, D. Pisani, P. Doffo, I. Woods, T. Paris (J. Okonkwo), C. Cassar, J. Mintoff, B. Odwong (M. Bartolo)

Coach M. Woods

Sliema W H. Bonello, A. Muscat (M. Scerri), J. Mifsud, R. Grech, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (J. Ani), D. Mitev (C. Gatt Baldacchino), S. Bezzina, J. Lima, R. Galabov, R. Bajada, J. Silva

Coach D. Doncic

Referee C. Pisani

Asst refs W. Debattista, P. Apap

4th official M. Apap

Scorers J.P. Mifsud Triganza 74

Yellow cards R. Grech, T. Paris, M. Micallef, H. Bartolo, T. Farrugia

Red cards R. Grech, W. Amamoo

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

TMI top 3 1. J.P. Mifsud Triganza 2. J. Silva 3. C. Cassar

Attendance 1,249