Sliema W 0

Floriana 0

Sliema W: H. Bonello, J. Mifsud, R. Grech, D. Mitev (J. Ani), S. Bezzina, J. Lima, R. Galabov, R. Bajada, J. Silva, C. Frendo, B. Muscat

Floriana: M. Bartolo, T. Paris (I. Woods), M. Micallef, R. Darmanin (W. Risser), D. Pisani, O. Bugeja, P. Doffo, J. Mintoff (J. Borg), A. Grabowski, C. Cassar, C. Borg

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, S. Attard

4th official: A.M. Sant

Yellow cards: J. Mifsud, D. Mitev, C. Cassar, J. Lima,

Player of the match: M. Bartolo (Floriana)

TMI top 3: 1.R. Bajada 2. R. Grech 3. M. Micallef

This ‘Old Firm’ clash between Sliema and Floriana produced no goals and was lamentably lacking in meaningful goalmouth action. More was promised than provided. At the end, a point apiece was a fair result, which leaves the Greens seven points clear above their opponents in the standings.

Both sides were fairly evenly matched, with Sliema perhaps slightly the more dangerous, with skipper Bajada striding forward with menace from midfield, but they never really threatened to capitalise. This was Sliema’s third consecutive draw.

They recovered all five suspended players, who had missed the previous draw against Mqabba, and were practically at full strength, although their forward line was still deprived of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Floriana were an unchanged team after their win against Tarxien Rainbows, with Ivan Woods and Joseph Borg named among the substitutes.

New recruit from Namibia, holder of a German passport, Wilko Risser made his appearance in the second half, going in for Ryan Darmanin.

Sliema showed the better ideas between two disjointed teams who lacked the required punch up front.

Floriana were gifted the first chance when after ten minutes Sliema’s defender Bezzina played a short square pass to Galabov on the edge of the area which Grabowski intercepted but shot against the side netting.

It was all Sliema after that, as Floriana struggled to make real progress.

But Jorge Silva failed miserably to conclude half chances that came his way in the first half.

On 18 minutes he accelerated on the right, went past Bugeja but shot feebly and keeper Bartolo could save.

Muscat’s forage down the right ended with a short pass to Silva who again was blocked by the Floriana keeper.

Past the half hour, a Frendo free kick hit the keeper’s chest and was cleared before Silva picked Frendo’s pass five minutes from the break, but his low diagonal drive went tantalisingly wide.

Unfortunately, play did not improve after the interval. Shots on target remained at a premium as Lima’s effort went wide.

Floriana only jerked into shape after Ivan Woods’ introduction just past the hour. Woods carved the game’s best chance for his side on 72 minutes as he chased Risser’s pass and tested keeper Bonello with a powerful drive. The Sliema shot stopper was equal to task, turning into a corner.

Sliema’s last chance, 12 minutes from time, fell to Frendo, who found the ball at his feet inside the Floriana area after some defensive hesitation, only to be denied by the alert keeper Bartolo.