Balzan Y.-Sliema W. 0-4

Balzan: E. Bartolo, J. Grioli (F. Aboulezz), K. Magro, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna, F. Vignaroli, D. Grima, L. Sciberras, L. Micallef (R. Darmanin), ED Zarate Bilbao, JL Amario Negrin.

Sliema: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, K. Farrugia, J. Mintoff (J. Borg), M. Scerri (B. Muscat), S. Ohawuchi, I. Woods (A. Xuereb), P. Barbetti, M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi, A. Vladavic.

Referee: P. Farrugia.

Asst refs: A. Camilleri, P. Apap

4th official: A. Azzopardi.

Scorers: I. Woods, S. Ohawuchi, A. Vladavic

Yellow cards: M. Scerri, P. Barbetti, A. Vladavic

Red card: D. Grima.

Player of the match: S. Ohawuchi

TMI Top 3: 1. S. Ohawuchi, 2. I. Woods, 3. ED Zarate Bilbao.

Sliema kept their remote title hopes alive yesterday as they defeated 10-man Balzan easily in the first match at the Hibernians Stadium.

The win enabled the Wanderers to move to within five points of leaders Birkirkara and two behind Valletta ahead of the matches later yesterday. Before Hibs’ match against Valletta, they had overtaken the Paolites in third place.

Even if not for the title, the victory consolidated Sliema’s bid for a berth in next season’s Europa League.

Balzan had no real interest in the proceedings, but offered stubborn resistance, especially before they ended in 10 men after the dismissal of Dylan Grima a few minutes before the interval.

Jesmond Zerafa’s boys could not hope to do better in 10 men for a whole 50 minutes and without two of their key players – both suspended.

Sliema coach Alfonso Greco had Clifford Gatt Baldacchino unavailable through injury and Trevor Cilia ruled out through suspension,

The first half was more or less balanced though the Blues appeared to be somewhat more methodical in their approach.

It was evident that Balzan missed the influential services of Calcado in midfield, but they still produced a bold effort, never giving away an inch.

That is, until they suffered the first goal and more so after having Dylan Grima dismissed for a second yellow card a few minutes before the interval, during which period the Wanderers added a second goal for good measure.

In the second half, despite playing in 10 men, Balzan tried hard to get back into the game, but they rarely troubled goalkeeper Bonello.

And as the match progressed Sliema took the game once again in their hands. Their domination was obvious

as they made the most of their numerical superiority. However, they had to wait till the final 13 minutes to add two other goals to their first half tally as Balzan were well organised at the back.

Balzan were the first to threaten in the eighth minute. From a Justin Grioli cross, Lyden Micallef headed over the bar from a favourable position.

In the 13th minute, Balzan went close through Armario Negrin. His first effort was blocked by Bianciardi and his second attempt was saved on deck by the diving Bonello.

It was, however, Sliema who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. A Stanley Ohawuchi cross was miskicked by Kurt Magro in the area. The ball went kindly to Ivan Woods who made no mistake from close in.

In the 25th minute, Balzan replied with a Zarate shot saved by Bonello. At the other end, on 34 minutes, Bartolo saved a grounder from Woods.

A minute later, Balzan ended in 10 men when Dylan Grima was deemed to have simulated a foul in the Sliema area and was immediately shown a yellow card – his second – by referee Farrugia.

Sliema soon took advantage as they doubled their lead on the 41st minute. From a Vladavic cornerkick, Woods headed forward for the unmarked Ohawuchi to head into the net from close in.

At the start of the second half, Balzan had a long distance effort by Grioli being easily saved by the well placed Bonello and at the other end, a fine Ohawuchi solo move ended with his shot going just wide of the target.

On the 66th minute, Sliema went close to adding a third goal. Following a cross by Woods, the ball was cleared out to Alex Muscat whose first time shot just missed the crossbar.

And on the 71st minute, Barbetti set Ohawuchi in the Sliema area, but the Nigerian striker hit well over the bar with only Bartolo to beat.

Five minutes later, it was 3-0 as Vladavic beat Bartolo with a shot from the edge of the area.

The fourth and final goal arrived in the 88th minute. It was Ohawuchi who set Vladavic in the Balzan area. The Bosnian striker had no difficulty in planting the ball into the net.