Sliema Wanderers 2 St Andrew   1

In front of a very large crowd at Luxol Ground both sets of players played a very sporting and clean game and referee Ishmael Barbara did not show one yellow card during the whole 70 minutes of play.

The early pressure came from St Andrew and Walker hit the bar with his effort from inside the area. After a free-kick by Kyle Muscat, Matthew Guillaimier drove over the bar from inside the area. From another corner kick by Ferrante, the ball missed the bar by inches from a header by Liam Grech.

Sliema reacted and they created three good chances. Aiden Friggieri served David Mifsud with a cross From a Mercieca corner and after Omar Xuereb tried his luck from inside the area, Jonathan Stilon cleared the ball on the fatal line. After a run down on the left flank by Friggieri who out-sped two defenders, served Ahmed Jaleddi with a cross in the area and with an open goal at his mercy he unbelievedly drove out. Finally, Sliema won free kick on the right flank which was well taken by Iousef Meli and St Andrew keeper, Kane Valletta, was able to save his dangerous and hard drive.

In the last action before the break by Sliema Wonderers, Friggieri was fouled on the right edge of the area and from the free kick by the same player, the ball caressed the goal mouth with no taker to apply the killer touch.

Two minutes after the restart, St Andrew forged ahead. Walker served Nwoko with a perfect through ball outside the area, who after advancing hit the ball against the back of the net with a low drive. In the 43rd minute St Andres came very close to double their lead when from a cross from the left Nwoko, Walker’s hard drive, was blocked by James Mifsud on the fatal line.

In the 58th minute, Sliema equalised. Mercieca was fouled on the semi circle by Liam Grech. The same player took charge of the resultant free kick who scored with a rising shot in the top right hand corner.

St Andrew tried to re establish their lead and substitute Andre Debono dribbled past an opponent outside the area but Sliema keeper Matthew Attrad save his hard effort.

In the 70th minute Sliema scored a dramatic winner. They won a corner kick on the right flank which was well taken by substitute Andrea Martinelli and Friggieri scored with a header in the roof of the net to the joy of the numerous Slieam supporters.

After the match, youth FA chairman Fr Hilary Tagliaferro and Mr Robert Attard, representing the Ministry of Finance presented medals to both sets of player and match officials. The trophey was presented to Sliema captain Carl Cassar.

Referee: Ishmael Barbara