Ohawuchi double not enough for Sliema fourth place finish

Hibernians FC 1 Sliema Wanderers 3

A brace by Stanley Ohawuchi was enough for Sliema to beat Hibernians by three goals to one but was not enough for the Blues to secure fourth place after Mosta won their encounter against Balzan Youths.

Hibernians were sitting pretty in third place while Sliema needed the three points to be in with the chance to secure fourth place although the Blues depended on the outcome of the Mosta-Balzan encounter. Sliema relieved Valdivic of his duties earlier this week with Branciardi on the bench, but were otherwise at full strength while Hibernians were without Obifuele, Edison dos Santos and Radusinovic.

Hibernians came close after just 3 minutes when a shot by Cohen ended up just wide. On 13 minutes, Sliema had a penalty appeal turned down when John Mintoff appeared to have been tripped by Muscat but referee Zammit was not interested. The Paolites came close on 22 minutes when a free kick by Failla was well saved by Zammit.

The game continued rather staid with Sliema again coming close on the half hour when Ohawuchi found some space with a shot ending up across the post. Hibs responded with a Cohen shot that was again well saved by Zammit. Another Failla free kick was neutralized by the Sliema goalie.

The second half began with a fine shot by Lima that hammered against the crossbar with Zammit beaten. Hibernians had the best chance of the match so far on 56 minutes when a scorcher by Kristensen brought out a fine save from Zammit.

The Paolites took the lead on the hour when a Lima cross found Jean Paul Farrugia whose shot was blocked by Zammit but Degabriele was on hand to shoot the ball home from just inside the box.

However Sliema came roaring back with two goals in two minutes. Lima felled substitute Axl Xuereb in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Barbetti made no mistake firing the penalty past a hapless Borg. A minute later, Sliema took the lead when a shot by Beppe Muscat was parried by Borg but Ohawuchi was on hand to slot home.

Sliema continued pressing forward and on 77 minutes, Ohawuchi had a good chance but his shot went just wide of the post. Seven minutes later, Ohawuchi made sure of the points for the Blues after a Trevor Cilia pass brought him into the clear and after rounding Borg, the Sliema striker coolly deposited into the net to secure a rather empty victory.

Hibernians FC: J Borg, B Muscat, Z Levniac, J Pearson, M Bartolo, J Degabriele (J Bezzina 71’), J Lima (Z Scerri 91’), B Kristensen (D Vella 87’), C Failla, A Cohen, J P Farrugia

Sliema Wanderers FC: G Zammit, A Muscat, J Borg, K Farrugia, J Mintoff (G Aquilina 71’), M Scerri (A Xuereb 46’), S Ohawuchi (C Cassar 88’), C Gatt Baldacchino, T Cilia, P Barbetti, B Muscat

Goals: J Degabriele 60’, P Barbetti 63’ (pen), S Ohawuchi 64’, 84’

Yellow cards: A Cohen, S Ohawuchi, P Barbetti, G Aquilina, C Cassar

Referee: Fyodor Zammit. Asst Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo. 4th Official: Glenn Tonna

TMI Top Three: G Zammit (S), S Ohawuchi (S), J Lima (H)

Floriana win relegation pool with slender win

Floriana-Rabat      2-1

Floriana - S. Mintoff, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, S. Pisani, C. Caruana (D. Agius), I. Coronado (L. Casha), D. Pinheiro De Sousa (E. Briffa), C. Borg, R. Aguiar, G. Muir, S. Borg.

Rabat A.               1

Rabat A – A. Zammit, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, Z. Tanti, I. Carapic, S. Oproiescu, D. Carrillo Pendas, J. Bajada (L. Cauchi), R. Micallef (C. Vella), M. Licari (S. Abela), A. Azzopardi

Skorers – D. Pinheiro De Sousa 19 min; I. Coronado 50 min; S. Gauci 84 min

Referee – Sandro Spiteri

Ass. Referees – Chris Francalanza, Thomas Debono

4th official  – Malcolm Spiteri

Yellow cards – A. Zammit, S. Borg, I. Carapic, I. Edet, S. Pisani

Player of the match – Christian Caruana (Floriana)

TMI Best three – 1. C. Caruana,  2. I. Coronado, 3. A. Zammit

Floriana as expected finished on top of the relegation pool with a 2-1 victory over relegated Rabat Ajax. The Greens dominated the match for long stretches, but Rabat Ajax defended well with goalkeeper Andrew Zammit effecting some very good saves.

Rabat thus saluted the Premier division with a respectable result as they even managed to pull one back six minutes from time.

Rabat still smarting from the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Tarxien, held well in the opening minutes, and Floriana were unable to penetrate Rabat’s defence. Floriana took the lead in their first real attack on 19 minutes when Coronado passed towards Diogo Pinheiro De Sousa who slotted home with a precise grounder.

Pinheiro De Sousa had to be substituted a minute later with Briffa taking his place. On 23 minutes Rabat’s first and only attempt in the first half with a Carrillo Pendas freekick going over the bar.

On 28 minutes Rabat’s young goalkeeper Zammit handled outside his area to stop Steve Pisani, but the referee showed him only a yellow card. From the resultant freekick Gary Muir shot slightly over the bar.

Floriana dominated the last minutes of the first half with Rabat defending in their penalty area. Igor Coronado dribbled his way inside the area but his weak shot was easily saved by Zammit. The Rabat custodian was again called in action to block shots from Christian Caruana and Sacha Borg.

Floriana continued to push forward on the resumption and after only five minutes they doubled the score when Christian Caruana crossed from the right and Igor Coronado darted in to hammer home from close range.

On the hour a Coronado freekick missed the upright by a whisker and two minutes later Rabat’s Shawn Gauci saved his side when he blocked a Gary Muir shot destined for the back of the net.

Rabat goalkeeper Zammit made the best save of the match half way through the second half when he turned into a corner a Coronado dipper. The Brazilian was substituted minutes later as the Greens continued to dictate matters.

However six minutes from time Rabat pulled one back when a Carrillo Pendas freekick was headed towards Shawn Gauci who scored with a low angled shot.

Mosta confirm fourth place and wait their fate for European football

Mosta-Balzan 3-1

Mosta: O. Borg, A. Cini, T. Farrugia, M. Brincat, I. Grech, R. Grech, M. Micallef, A. Carrozza (K.Zammit 58’), I. Zammit (J. Brincat 69’), B. Kaljevic (K. Frendo 84’), G. Piccioni

Balzan: M. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna, R. dos Santos, K. Magro, E. Bilbao Zarate, G. Micallef, L. Micallef, M. Spiteri, F. Aboulezz

Scorers: M. Micallef 28’, K. Zammit 58’, B. Kaljevic 83’ (M), K. Magro 86’ (B)

Yellow Cards: R. Grech 53’, B. Kaljevic 83’ (M), M. Spiteri 56’ (B)

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Luke Portelli 

BOV Player of the Match: Manolito Micallef (Mosta)

Attendance: 346

Mosta finished the season on a positive note when they defeated Balzan 3-1 with a fine display. With this result Mosta confirmed their fourth place but they will have to wait to know if they will participate for the first time in the UEFA Europa League. This is because Sliema are in the final of the F.A Trophy and in case that Valletta win the League or a win for Sliema in the F.A Trophy Alfonso Greco’s team will play in the Europa League next season.   

Overall it was a positive season for both teams with Mosta setting a new record in their club’s history with the fourth place while Balzan managed to reach their target after finishing in the top six and although they lost several games in the Championship Pool they gave good performances.

Mosta’s coach Enrico Piccioni made two changes from their draw against Sliema. Alexander Cini took the place of the suspended Ekani while Bojan Kaljevic returned instead of the injured Cristian Martins. On the other hand Balzan coach Jesmond Zerafa made three changes from their defeat against Valletta with Gianfranco Micallef, Mark Spiteri and Firaz Aboulezz taking the place of the injured Dylan Grima, Negrin and the suspended Pedro dos Santos Calcado.

Mosta created the first danger after 5 minutes when Piccioni crossed to Kaljevic but the striker failed to connect in front of goal. On the 16th minute a shot by Steve Bezzina was deflected by Tyrone Farrugia. Few seconds later Balzan could have taken the lead when Aboulezz crossed to Andrew Scicluna but although he was unmarked his header finished off target.

A minute later Ian Zammit tried with a shot from distance that finished over the bar. On the 18th minute Mosta had their best action when from a free-kick by Carrozza, the header from Mano Micallef finished inches wide.

Mosta went again close on the 24th minute when Ian Zammit crossed to Bojan Kaljevic but his header was denied by the post. On the 27th minute a free-kick by Justin Grioli was easily saved by Omar Borg.

Mosta opened the score a minute later when Piccioni laid a perfect ball to Mano Micallef who controlled the ball and with a low shot on his left side that gave Bartolo no chance. Balzan tried to make a quick reaction and a minute later another shot by Justin Grioli finished off target.

Balzan started the second half better and went close on the 49th minute when a shot from Mark Spiteri was saved bravely by Omar Borg. Mosta scored the second goal on the 59th minute when Piccioni opened the play to substitute Kurt Zammit who buried oast Bartolo with a low shot. Few moments later Mosta could have added another but Scicluna managed to clear in a corner before Kaljevic could conclude.

Kurt Magro tried to reduce the margin for his team on the 64th minute with a shot from outside the box but it finished a bit wide. Balzan again went close on the 70th minute when Lydon Micallef passed to Gianfranco Micallef who tried to lob over Borg but his lob finished over the bar.

Mosta missed a chance to close the match on the 73rd minute when from a cross by Alex Cini, James Brincat made the impossible and didn’t hit on target. Five minutes later a shot by Ryan Grech was blocked by Bartolo. Mosta sealed the deal on the 83rd minute when Bojan Kaljevic received a good ball by Micallef and alone placed behind Bartolo with a good shot.

Balzan scored the consolation goal on the 86th minute when Kurt Magro beat Omar Borg with a left-foot shot.

Tarxien end season on a high

Qormi -Tarxien 2-4

M. Farrugia (S. Sultana), J. Bondin, R. Sammut, O. Bugeja, D. Pisani, R. Bajada, T. Caruana (M. Bance), P. Dandolo, L. Grech (K. Sciortino), L. Cantoro, A. Effiong.

N. Vela, C. Mamo (L. Zahra), M. Caruana, F. Lopez Alcantara, L. Martinelli, D. Toure, M. Ciantar, W. Barbosa, R. Sammut, C. Menendez Hevia (A. Agius), J. Santos Silva (N. Vella).

Scorers – Barbosa 28 min, 43 min, Demba Toure 55 min, 63 min, L. Cantoro 57 min, A. Effiong 84 min

Referee – Marco Borg

Ass. Referees – William Debattista, Peter Abela

4th oficial – Paul Caruana

 Imwissija – M. Ciantar,

Player Of the match – William Barbosa (Tarxien)

TMI best three – 1. W. Barbosa, 2. J. Santos Silva, 3. D. Toure

Attendance - 290

Tarxien finished the season on a high note beating Qormi in a one way traffic affair. Tarxien dominated from start to finish with William Barbosa and Demba Toure scoring a brace for the rainbows. The victory puts Tarxien in second place in the relegation pool, leaving Qormi in third place.  

Tarxien dominated the first half with Qormi unable to produce any sortie upfront. William Barbosa was in splendid form with Jorge Santos Silva devastating on the right flank. Tarxien went all out for an immediate opener and went close with a header from Alcantara.

On ten minutes a Miguel Ciantar shot from the edge of the area, slightly missed the crossbar. Five minutes later a Santos Silva freekick was well saved by Farrugia. On 28 minutes Tarxien finally took the lead when William Barbosa fired home a beauty from a distance.

Qormi had nothing to offer as Tarxien continued to dictate matters and on 35 minutes Demba Toure missed a sitter when well served by Santos Silva. On 41 minutes another fast break from Barbosa who passed to Jorge Santos Silva who was blocked by a desperate Farrugia sortie.

On 42 minutes Tarxien doubled the score when a Leighton Grech backpass completely unmarked William Barbosa who made no mistake in front of goal.

On the resumption Tarxien were again menacing with a Jorge Santos Silva shot well saved by Farrugia. On 50 minutes Qormi were given a lifeline when Alfred Effiong was floored by Martinelli, but the same Effiong missed from the resultant penalty with the ball skimming the base of the upright before finishing wide.

On 55 minutes Tarxien made it three when captain Caruana’s long ball found Toure completely unmarked and the Tarxien striker fired low into the net.  Qormi pulled one back two minutes later when Effiong passed towards CANTORO who first-timed beautifully home.

On 63 minutes Tarxien scored a fourth when Denba Toure didi not miss in front of goal following another Qormi defensive lapse. Six minutes from time Alfred Effiong made amends for his penalty miss when he beat Vella following a Bondin cross from the right.