SLIEMA WANDERERS       2
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS        1

Sliema Wanderers: J. Galea, M. Muchardi, K. Shaw, L. Varela, R. Fenech, N. Ashong, F. Temile (J. Mintoff 26'), M. Sansone, C. Pani, S. Biancardi, Y. Marzouk

Ħamrun Spartans: E. Bartolo, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, C. Henneberg, W. Domoraud, A. Scicluna (R. Darmanin 86'), M. Criaco, K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulos, M. Gomez (C. Borg 60'), K. Tulimieri

scorers: M. Criaco 49' pen. (Ħ), Y. Marzouk 55' (S), I. Varela 62' (S)

Yellow cards:  S. Biancardi 38' (S),  M. Muchardi 49' (S), J. Galea 88' (S)

Referee: Mario Apap

Ass. referees: Mitchell Scerri, Paul Apap

Plkayer of the game: Younes Marzouk (Sliema Wanderers)

Attendance: 429

Sliema Wanderers yesterday gave Hamrun Spartans a double blow, coming from behind to beat them 2-1 and moving above the same Hamrun in the standings.

It was a difficult game to judge, boring at times, but more than interesting in the second half.

Hamnrun were in full command of the proceedings until taking the lead with a highly disputed penalty early in the second half.

This penalty sparked the Wanderers reaction which was immediate and very effective.

Sliema scored two well taken goals in qucik succession and the Sapratns never recovered their composure.

Sliema controlled with ease with central defender Kurt Shaw outstanding at times.

Hamrun were in the driver's seat in the first half with Sliema rarely venturing forward. Maccoppi's side was unlucky on 25 minutes losing Frank Temile who limped off injured, but his substitute John Mintoff played a very good game, instrumental in  his side's equaliser.

The Spartans had some efforts from outside the area but all were off target or easy prey for the alert Jake Galea in the Sliema goal.

Hamrun had a Hennberg goal rightly disallowed for offside, but should have benn awarded a penalty in stoppage time of the first half, when Michele Sansone blatently handled the ball inside the box, but referee Apap incredibly said it was a corner.

Four minutes into the second half, Hamrun got their penalty, a harsh decision for a Michardi tackle on Scicluna, and from the penalty spot Marco Criaco sent Galea the wrong way.

It was Sliema's match now. Six minutes later Mintoff darted to a Varela header beat Pepe's tackle and passed towards Marzouk who slotted home in style.

Before coming back in the game, the Spartans suffered another blow when Varela managed to control the ball in fron of goal to beat Bartolo from close range.

In both goals, the best defence of the Premier League left much to be desired.

Hamrun regained control again but their efforts were few a sterile, as thw Blues were now more confident and preserved their precious lead for a very precious victory.