Sliema W  1

Mqabba   1

A heavily depleted Sliema side and Mqabba shared a point apiece in a match that never reached any good level.

The draw was a fair result. In fact, it was a balanced match with Sliema enjoying the lion’s share of play in the first half and Mqabba replying in the second.

The Wanderers had four players missing – Josef Mifsud, Cleaven Frendo, Steve Bezzina and Danial Mitev – all suspended. Not to mention the injured Galabov, Mifsud Triganza and Alex Muscat.

Apart Sliema’s opening goal and Mqabba’s equaliser, the match offered very little to enthuse the crowd present.

Encouraged by the opening goal, Sliema seemed to be better organised with Roderick Bajada and Jackson Lima taking a good grip on midfield. However, they were rarely, if ever, dangerous again in front of the Mqabba goal, especially in the first half.

Mqabba tried hard to get back on level terms in the first half, but they were rather poor in their conclusions – weak shots or headers which were dealt with confidently by goalkeeper Bonello.

In the second half, they showed improvement and eventually equalised as Sliema slowed down the tempo.

However, despite keeping the initiative, they failed to test Bonello again.

Sliema quickly took the initiative and even took the lead on five minutes. It was Roderick Bajada who scored direct from a freekick, the ball hitting the upright before glancing into the net.

Mqabba replied with a Mazzitelli freekick being turned to corner by Bonello.

In the 15th minute, it was Rene Duca who brought the best out of Bonello after dribbling his way into the Blues area.

In the 33rd minute, from a John Paul Muscat cross, Mazzitelli headed just wide of the target.

At the other end, it was Santos Silva who tested Calleja while Mqabba replied with a Mamic header being easily saved by Bonello.

Mqabba appeared more determined in the second half, but they could not find a way past the Sliema defence and it was the Blues, through a Jackson Lima freekick, who went close to scoring again.

And on the 64th minute, it was again Lima who tried his luck from 25 metres, but the ball went over.

Mqabba’s reply came through a Potezika long distance shot which finished well wide of the target.

Mqabba equalised on the 69th minute. Off a Calleja cornerkick, it was Mazzitelli who coolly headed past Bonello.

The only action before the end came Mqabba’s way as a Timotic header found Mamic at the far end, but his shot went across goal.

Sliema W.: H. Bonello, B. Muscat, A. Caligari, J. Briffa (D. Vukovic), C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Scerri, R. Grech, R. Bajada (D. Spiteri), J. Lima Sequiera, J. Santos Silva, J. Ani.

Coach: D. Doncic.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, C. Calleja, B. Timotic, JP Muscat, R. Duca (M. Briffa), M. Potezika, D. Azzopardi, B. Mamic, R. Sammut, T. Mazzitelli.

Coach: C. Mizzi.

Referee: M. Spiteri.

Asst refs: A. Grech, C. Francalanza

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: R. Bajada 5, T. Mazzitelli 69,

Yellow cards: M. Bonnici, M. Potezika, B. Timotic, R. Grech, D. Vukovic.

Player of the match: T. Mazzitelli

TMI Top 3: 1. J. Lima, 2. T. Mazzitelli; 3. R. Bajada.

BoV League Div II: Gharghur-Msida SJ 0-3