Balzan-Sliema W 0-1
Balzan: D. Martinez, J.L. Negrin (E. Beu), S. Bezzina, G. Calabretta, D. Grima, J. Grioli, R. Pereira, L. Sciberras (L. Micallef), A. Scicluna, M. Spiteri (A. Agius), F. Vignaroli
Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, J. Borg, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, S. Ohawuchi, A. Bello-Osagie (M. Muchardi), C. Gatt Baldacchino, P. Gueye, P. Barbetti, S. Bianciardi
Referee: P. Caruana
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, P. Apap
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers: S. Ohawuchi 9
Yellow cards: P. Barbetti, M. Scerri, J. Grioli, F. Vignaroli, A. Muscat
Red card: F. Vignaroli
Player of the match: S. Ohawuchi (Sliema W)
TMI top three: 1. S. Ohawuchi 2. P. Gueye 3. M. Spiteri
Attendance: 425
Sliema Wanderers yesterday downed Balzan’s challenge with a narrow, although deserved , win through a Stanley Ohawuchi goal against ten-man Balzan.
As against Birkirkara in the previous match, Balzan’s resistance failed to bear them dividends and when they were passing through their best patch in the match, they had midfielder Vignaroli sent off on 68 minutes.
A fully firing Sliema would probably have made the extra man count far more effectively, although they squandered chances galore in the late stages, before finally winning the points that see them go at the top of the standings, at least until Hibernians play against Rabat Ajax today.
The Wanderers yesterday badly missed the inventive of Matias Muchardi, who, probably not fully fit, sat on the bench for almost a whole hour. Mark Scerri and Paltemio Barbetti did voluminous work in midfield but the Wanderers remained mostly unproductive after forging ahead with only nine minutes on the clock. Balzan’s defender Scicluna lost the ball and allowed Gueye to advance on the right and deliver a cross for the unmarked Stanley Ohawuchi to slot the ball into an unattended goal.
Stanley Ohawuchi delighted in releasing Sliema’s attacking handbrake at every opportunity. In the process, he regularly succeeded in bringing the best out in those around him, most notably Pape Gueye and John Mintoff. Bello-Osagie filled the midfield slot in Muchardi’s absence, before being substituted on 56 minutes.
Ohawuchi’s shot midway through the half found the Balzan keeper Martinez equal to task and saved.
Balzan took some time to settle into the match but showed some self belief after that and caused their opponents some nervy moments. It was only on the half hour that they first tested Sliema’s keeper Bonello, turning into a corner Spiteri’s shot from outside the area.
With halftime looming, Spiteri got the better of Sliema’s defence, who failed to clear their lines, advanced on the left with his diagonal low drive clipping the foot of the post.
It might have been worse for Sliema after the interval as Balzan kept probing pluckily for an equaliser. Calabretta’s cross was cleared into a corner by Biancardi before Negrin could connect.
The introduction of Muchardi, four minutes short of the hour, gave Sliema more grip in midfield and better distribution although Balzan threatened again on 66 minutes. On Grioli’s cross, substitute Micallef’s shot on the turn was blocked by keeper Bonello.
Balzan’s rally suffered a setback on 68 minutes. Their Italian midfielder Vignaroli was cautioned for a reckless tackle and immediately sent off for passing some remarks to the referee.
Sliema upped the tempo and could have added further goals in the last 20 minutes. Muchardi’s cross found Ohawuchi inside the Balzan area. He grounded his opponent but keeper Martinez blocked with his outstretched leg.
In the late stages, Ohawuchi could have settled the issue but was twice denied by the Balzan keeper on consecutive shots at goal.
Deep into four minutes of added time, Sliema fluffed more chances to leave their supporters on tenterhooks. Borg advanced alone but shot feebly on the keeper with Guaye in a good position and Ohawuchi was clear but was blocked by Martinez and the Balzan defenders.