Qormi-Sliema 1-3
Qormi: S. Sultana, R. Sammut, G. Bellucci (L. Gabrieli), E. Vella, R. Bajada (D. Pirotta), T. Caruana, G. Nucera, L. Del Giudice, (L.Grech), D. Pisani, M. Petrassi, F. Santaguida
Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, J. Borg (B. Muscat), A. Rapino, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, T. Cilia, P. Gueye, P. Barb etti, M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi
Referee: A.M. Sant
Asst.refs: M. Scerri, C. Francalanza
Additional asst.refs: M. Borg, S. Spiteri
4th official: A. Camilleri
Scorers: T. Cilia 34, P. Gueye 36, L. Del Guidice 44, A. Muscat 78
Yellow cards: F. Santaguida, H. Bonello, S. Bianciardi, G. Bellucci, B. Muscat
Red card: M. Scerri, D. Pisani
Player of the match: P. Gueye (Sliema W)
TMI top three: 1. S. Bianciardi 2. P. Gueye 3. F. Santaguida
Sliema Wanderers remain firmly in fourth place, chasing the leading pack, with this deserved, although unconvincing, win against struggling Qormi.
In truth, neither side could establish much control and there was very little cohesive play. Sliema only were in command after scoring two goals in quick succession past the half hour as Qormi were undermined by some defensive collapse.
Although Sliema deserved to win on the balance of play, Qormi were not without their own opportunities. They did not play badly and only lapsed into the role of subordinates after conceding Sliema’s third goal in the final part of the match.
This result, with three winless matches, leaves Qormi well embroiled in the relegation zone.
They were depleted without three suspended players like regular keeper Matthew Farrugia, central defender Owen Bugeja and forward Alfred Effiong. Leighton Grech, who was included in the team sheet, did not start the match and was replaced by Emerson Vella. Grech went in as substitute towrads the hour. Innocenti was also missing, with Federico Santaguida leading their attack.
The Wanderers made two changes from the side that beat Rabat Ajax. Abubaker Bello-Osagie was not included in their squad and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was named among the substitutes. His place in central defence was filled by newcomer Alessandro Rapino who formed a good tandem with Stefano Bianciardi. Jacob Borg started as right back but was substituted by Beppe Muscat at the start of the second half.
Sliema steamed forward from the outset but lacked the required incisive movement to break down Qormi’s defence.
But a sudden burst after the half hour gave them a two-goal cushion within as many minutes. On 34 minutes they started the move on the left. Gueye picked up Mintoff’s pass and delivered a testing cross for Trevor Cilia to connect and make the breakthrough.
Hardly two minutes later, Sliema were two up, courtesy of a defensive blunder by Italian Petrassi. Loitering with intent, Pape Gueye robbed him of the ball just outside the Qormi area, rounded the onrushing keeper Sultana and steered the ball into an unattended goal.
Qormi were rattled but summoned enough effort to embarass the Sliema defence. With halftime looming, Nucera advanced from the left, on Santaguida’s cross, evaded keeper Bonello but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Bianciardi.
Qormi were handed a lifeline one minute before the break. Luigi Del Guidice romped past his opponents inside the Sliema area, beat Mintoff’s challenge and scored from close range.
The goal might have given Qormi some hope for the second period but their bluntness in attack rarely troubled Sliema.
The game moved at a slow plodding pace with all the physical endeavour stifling any productive football.
On 66 minutes the Wanderers produced a good move. Beppe Muscat played the ball back from the byeline for Barbetti to shot at goal. Gueye tried to deflect the ball but the alert keeper Sultana saved on the ground. On 75 minutes, Muchardi almost capitalised on Qormi’s defensive hesitation on a C ilia cross, but he skied the ball.
The Wanderers put a flattering gloss on the scoreline 12 minutes from time. Guaye outpaced his opponents, sent a diagonal cross shot that put the Qormi keeper off balance and Alex Muscat could slot in the ball to make sure of the points.
With five minutes remaining, Sliema’s midfielder Mark Scerri received his marching orders for showing dissent towards Vella and in added time, the same fate befell Duncan Pisani, who marred a superlative performance for Qormi, with his sending off.