Sliema W                             0              Birkirkara                             0

Sliema W: G. Zammit,  A. Muscat, L. Martinelli (J. Mintoff),P. Barbetti, M. Scerri, C. Gatt Baldacchino,I. Zammit, I. Woods (A. Faccini), S. Bajada, M. Muchardi,  S. Bianciardi

Birkirkara: J. Haber, R. Pereira, A. Mendoza, R. Camenzuli (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), R. Muscat (Y. Hernandez), J. Zerafa, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, Z. Muscat, E. Herrera, H. Shodiya (Joselito)

Referee:  F. Zammit

Asst.refs:  E. Spiteri, L. Portelli

4th official: M. Apap

Yellow cards: P. Fenech, S. Biancardi, L. Martinelli, M. Scerri, S. Shodiya

Player of the match: P. Fenech (Birkirkara)

TMI top 3:  1. P. Barbetti  2. G. Zammit  3. P. Fenech

Attendance: 797

This was another undistinguished afternoon for Birkirkara who, despite all their territorial supremacy and goal scoring opportunities, had to settle for a goalless draw agaisnt Sliema Wanderers, leaving them in third place, five points adrift of leaders Valletta.

A point suited Sliema better. The Wanderers’ solidity at the back, with good performances from keeper Glen Zammit, Stefano Bianciardi and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino in particular, now moves them closer to the Champiopnsahip Pool.

Sliema stretched every sinew to try to make up for the imbalance of talent. Balbetti’s defensive display, indefatigably in midfield, deserves special mention though.

Barbetti was one of three players back in the Sliema side, together with Shawn Bajada and Luca Martinelli, following their previous defeat by Valletta. Sliema also gave a debut start to their  loaned striker from Valletta, Ian Zammit, in a second spell with the Wanderers. They had Beppe Muscat missing through injury and Luigi Ruggiero suspended.

Birkirkara, who had Justin Haber in goal for the first time this season, had two notable absentees in the likes of Nikola Vukanac and Jhonattan. They  had registered a thumping league victory, hitting seven goals against Mosta the previous week but then suffered a damaging defeat against Qormi in the U*BET FA Trophy in midweek. Yesterday they badly needed a win to bolster their morale.

But Sliema were determined to take something from this match, following back-to-back defeats against Hibernians and Valletta, as they desperately need the points to make sure of a top-six finish. They showed togetherness and self belief, although they were forced to defend grimly for long stretches as the Stripes laid siege on their fort.

Birkirkara threatened first when Shodiya went past Biancardi inside the Sliema area but put his shot off target when pressed by Gatt Baldacchino in the opening minutes.

The Wanderers’ response came from Bajada who dangerously accelerated inside the Birkirkara area from the right, but was halted into a corner by Zerafa’s timely tackle.

Birkirkara carved out other good opporunities that could have given them the lead in the first half. On 21 miunutes Sliema keeper Zammit fumbled a high ball on a free kick and Zach Muscat’s header was blocked by Muchardi on the goal line.

Past the half hour, a C amenzuli free kick was well saved by keeper Zammit and on another Camenzuli cross from the left, Shodiya connected well with good elevation but put his free header inches wide.

Sliema looked menacing on the stroke of halftime with an Ian Zammit grounder from a distance that narrowly missed the target.

It was still anybody’s game in the second half. The industry of Barbetti, Muchardi and Scerri in midfield stifled many of Birkirkara’s build-ups who relied heavily on the pacey runs of Shodiya up front. The latter pounced on a long ball played by Herrera but hit his left foot shot over. The introduction of Mifsud Triganza on the hour, might have given Birkirkara more attacking options.

But play remained cagey as the ball flowed from one end to the other without any side able to hold long to possession.

Bajada ran dangerously inside the Birkirkara area, only to be blocked into a corner, before Birkirkara threatened with a fierce free kick from substitute Hernandez, turned into a corner by keeper Zammit, and a Herrera rising shot going over.

To Birkirkara and Shodiya fell the game’s best chance with six minutes of normal time remaining. Fenech’s penetrating pass reached the unmarked Birkirkara foward who was denied by keeper Zammit’s outstretched foot.

Birkirkara kept up the pressure in the frantic final minutes but the Sliema rearguard was adamant to stand firm till the final whistle.