Sliema W.-Floriana 4-1
Sliema W – H. Bonello, A. Muscat, J. Mintoff (A. Xuereb 86 min), M. Scerri (I. Woods 64 min), S. Ohawuchi, P. Barbetti, C. Gatt Baldacchino, T. Cilia (J. Borg 76 min), M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi, A. Vladavic.
Floriana – D. Hanford, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, I. Coronado (R. Emeka 71 min), D. Pinheiro De Sousa, D. Baldacchino, C. Borg, L. Casha (D. Kokavessis 67 min), B. Farrugia (J. Borg 76 min), G. Muir, S. Borg.
Referee – Glenn Tonna
Assistant referees – William Debattista, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth official – Sandro Spiteri
Scorers – G. Muir 19 min, S. Bianciardi 29 min, T. Cilia 69 min, J. Mintoff 72 min, I. Woods 81 min pen
Yellow cards – M. Scerri, P. Barbetti, C. Borg, B. Farrugia, J. Mintoff
Player of the match – Stanley Ohawuchi (Sliema W)
TMI best three – 1. S. Ohawuchi, 2. A. Muscat, 3. D. Hanford
Attendance - 564
Sliema Wanderers produced a second half polished display to demolish eternal rivals Floriana in the old firm derby. After a balanced and keenly contested first half, the Blues ran riot in the second half as the Greens ran out of fuel and ideas and threw in the towel
The Wanderers will be a hard nut to crack in the second part of the season as they will surely do their utmost to get at least a place in European football next season. Ohawuchi was again instrumental for the Blues, together with captain Alex Muscat and John Mintoff who scored a great goal after a fine solo run.
The greens were a disappointing lot and will now have to face relegation trouble in the second phase of the season with Vittoriosa, Qormi and Tarxien closely on their heels. Roland Emeka their new signing from St. George’s was introduced in the second half for a tired out Igor Coronado who is very off from his best form.
The game had a rather quite start with both sides unable to offend. Brooke Farrugia had the first attempt at goal with his effort going wide, and on the other end Admir Vladavic darted inside the Greens’ penalty area but his shot was saved Hanford.
On 19 minutes Floriana took the lead when a Gary Muir freekick from an acute angle completely deceived Bonello with the ball finishing at the back of the net. Sliema came close a couple of minutes later when Alex Muscat’s header was well saved by Hanford.
On 29 minutes Sliema were back on level terms when from a Vladavic corner, defender Bianciardi headed powerfully home giving Hanford no chance to save. The match was now fast and flowing with both sides trying to have the edge. On 33 minutes Coronado passed towards Pinheiro who shot wide from the edge of the area.
Three minutes from the break Hanford saved his side with a brilliant point blank save off captain Alex Muscat who was served by Muchardi, and from Hanford’s rebound Ohawuchi failed to connect in front of goal.
At the start of the second half Sliema made the first break with Trevor Cilia shooting well over the bar. On 55minutes Bianciardi was again on hand to head a Vladavic freekick, but this time Hanford was at the right place to save.
On the hour another good move from the Blues with Ohawuchi’s fierce drive saved by Hanford. Substitute Ivan Woods immediately made his presence felt shooting over the bar and on 66 minutes Hanford made a brilliant save off Ohawuchi.
Sliema continued to pile the pressure on the greens with Woods again slightly missing the target and on 68 minutes Sliema took a deserved lead when Ohawuchi passed towards Trevor Cilia who easily slotted the ball home.
Three minutes later Sliema dealt the killer blow with their third goal, the best of the lot. Credit goes to John Mintoff who dribbled his way on the right flank and from a very tight angle beat Hanford with a powerful drive that darted between the first post and the Greens' custodian.
Floriana were now in desperate situation at the complete mercy of their rivals who added a fourth nine minutes from time when Ohawuchi was floored just inside the area, and veteran Ivan Woods made no mistake even though Hanford was very close to stop the ball from entering the net.