Sliema W.-Tarxien R. 3-0

Sliema W: A. Curmi, A. Muscat, M. Scerri (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), D. Mitev, S. Bezzina, J. Lima, R. Galabov, R. Bajada, J. Silva, C. Frendo (R. Grech) (A. Caligari), B. Muscat

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, C. Sammut, E. Pereira, S. Giglio, R. Costa (A. Carabott), K. Pulo (L. Vella Critien), J. Vella, D. Bueno, O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, S. Attard

4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorers: D. Mitev 34 pen, 78, J. Silva 44

Yellow cards: J. Grioli, B. Muscat, S. Bezzina, E. Perreira

Player of the match: D. Mitev (Sliema W)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Silva 2. J. Lima 3. C. Sammut

Sliema Wanderers finally halted their five-match winless streak as they beat Tarxien Rainbows with a Daniel Mitev brace, one from a penalty, and another from Brazilian Jorge Silva to catch up with Qormi in fifth place in the standings.

Tarxien thus succumbed to their first league defeat under coach Patrick Curmi. His resurgent team failed yesterday to go past a lively Sliema side with the same high-quality efficiency with which they disposed of Birkirkara and Mqabba in the previous matches.

Tarxien’s most notable absentees yesterday were Brazilians Suguino and Galvao, the two protagonists in their previous win against Birkirkara. Manuel Caruana was also missing but Ricardo Costa returned in their starting line-up.

Sliema were forced to make one change in defence, due to Josef Mifsud’s suspension. Steve Bezzina moved as centre back with Beppe Muscat playing on the left.

A tepid first quarter hour matched the bleak weather at the Hibernians Stadium.

Then Tarxien’s keeper Cassar lost the ball as he rushed out to cut Bajada’s long cross but recovered in time to hold Lima’s tame effort towards an unattended goal.

Tarxien threatened after 18 minutes when Costa’s grounder, helped by the slippery surface, rebounded off the foot of the post.

Silva had a shot on the turn going narrowly wide on the half hour but Tarxien went close again when Galea’s header on Sammut’s cross from the left was deflected in the path of Anonam who was blocked by keeper Curmi.

On 34 minutes Sliema won a penalty when Lima was felled by Perreira inside the area. Daniel Mitev tucked it away to put the Wanderers in the driving seat.

Tarxien’s response two minutes later had Anonam missing the target after Costa had laid down the ball in his path on Grioli’s cross.

Lima’s long range free kick was fisted out by keeper Cassar on 41 minutes and with halftime looming Sliema struck again. It was a persistent move from midfield by Jorge Silva who ran down the left, crossed low for the unmarked Frendo, whose shot beat the keeper by Perreira cleared off the line. Silva had his first effort on the loose ball blocked again but was more lucky with his second effort, pushing the ball past keeper Cassar.

With a comfortable two-goal cushion, Sliema showed no urgency after the restart. On a positive note, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza made his appearance in the second half, after a long absence.

Tarxien however failed to capitalise, even though, in flashes, Costa and Bueno combined to some telling effect. Still, Tarxien lacked the slightest hint of penetration in front of the Sliema goal and were far too laborious to give Anthony Curmi, in the Sliema goal, any real trouble.

The Wanderers remained the more potent going forward. On 68 minutes Mifsud Triganza put Mitev clear but the Bulgarian lofted the ball over a gaping goal.

Mitev atoned for that miss two minutes later as he unleashed a left foot shot from outside the area, the ball hitting the underside of the bar and dropping behind the keeper’s back.

Tarxien were visibly undone by that third goal.

Sliema could have scored more. On 76 minutes keeper Cassar fumbled Lima’s powerful free kick but Mifsud Triganza failed to capitalise. Mitev missed the target with a low diagonal drive and Lima lobbed the ball over with the Tarxien keeper caught off his line.

But finally the better team on the day had won.