VALLETTA 0
SLIEMA W 0
Valletta: M. Bartolo, R. Briffa, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi (J. Ogonuppe), L. Dimech, J. Vandelannoite, W. Barbosa , D. Toure’, R. Fenech, D. Dos Santos (D. Bogdanovic), M. Mifsud
Sliema W: G. Zammit, L. Martinelli, A. Muscat (J. Mintoff), C. Gatt Baldacchino, P. Barbetti, M. Scerri, I. Zammit, S. Ohawuchi (J. Mifsud), S. Bajada (B. Muscat), M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi
Referee: C. Pisani
Asst.refs: P. Apap, L. Portelli
4th official: M. Apap
Yellow cards: M. Scerri, W. Barbosa, J. Ogonuppe
Player of the match: P. Barbetti (Sliema W)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Fenech 2. G. Zammit 3. P. Barbetti
Valletta failed to capitalise on Hibernians’ defeat in the afternoon’s first match and had to settle for a goalless draw against resilient Sliema Wanderers, themselves harbouring high hopes of a top-three finish.
Nonetheless, this draw enabled Valletta to take sole leadership and move a point above Hibernians, two above Birkirkara and four above Sliema in a tight race at the top.
The match was open, unpredicatable, although never gripping. For long stretches, especially in the second half, the leaders were on top, their snappy passing and movement depriving their opponents of the ball for long periods.
The citizens preferred Denni Dos Santos to Bello-Osagie and Jason Vandelannoite started the match instead of Joa Gabriel.
But Sliema remained composed. They played with great spirit and togetherness and on this evidence they should not be discouraged about their hopes of making it to next season’s European competition.
Buoyed by their win against Birkirkara the previous week, the Wanderers showed self belief yesterday as they faced a stern test against the champions. Ivan Woods was suspended and replaced by Ian Zammit, on loan from Valletta since January.
In a quite eventful and evenly balanced first half, Valletta went close to breaking the deadlock but were frustrated time and again by the Sliema keeper Glen Zammit, whose handling was faultless. Midway through the half Fenech whacked a testing free kick from the right. Vandelannoite connected well with his header from close range but Zammit saved well.
The Sliema shot stopper again came to his side’s rescue just before halftime when a Fenech free kick caused panic inside the Wanderers’ area. The ball fell straight at the feet of Mifsud who was foiled by Zammit inside the six-yard box.
Valletta carved out other good scoring opportunities but failed to convert them in the face of a battling Sliema defence. Denni went close with his diagonal low drive on Mifsud’s pass in the opening minutes.
When Mifsud played a dangerous free kick forward, Fenech was blocked by Martinelli inside the Sliema area.
The Wanderers were not without their own opportunities though. Barbetti was the first to test keeper Bartolo on the half hour. On 37 minutes, some good work by Muchardi from the byeline on the left presented Zammit with a chance, but the former Valletta player was anticipated by Barbosa.
Still goalless at halftime, Valletta continued the attacking theme, as they began to show more urgency after the break, but not before they survived another Sliema threat on 53 minutes. Ohawuchi’s curling shot from the edge of the area ended slightly over.
On the other end, Barbosa headed Dennis’ cross wide and then a Mifsud effort was deflected towards Vandelannoite who hit narrowly wide.
Valletta put in Daniel Bogdanovic for Denni towards the hour and on 65 minutes, Vandelannoite’s deflected effort fell to Fenech who thumped his volley against the bar.
Valletta kept their foot on the throttle and with Sliema retreating further and absorbing most of the pressure, keeper Zammit did well to intercept Fenech’s cross from the left before Bogdanovic could connect.