SLIEMA W........... 0
SIRENS................. 1
Sliema: J. Galea, M. Sansone (J. Mintoff 57'), J. Cruz Gill, K. Shaw, A. Stelitano (C. Pani 75'), R. Carvajal, M. Scerri (A. Satariano 86'), E. Agius, S. Miloskovic, J. Cisotti, S. Sow
Sirens: D. Cassar, R. Romao, A. Borg, R. dos Anjos (D. Sant 68'), T. Espindola, R. Grech, I. Adeshina, R. Memezes, W. de Oliveira (S. Arab 79'), E. Okoye, F. Cheveresan
Yellow Cards: E. Okoye 32', R. Grech 87', A. Borg 91' (SI), M. Scerri 35' (SL)
Red Cards: S. Sow 71' (SL)
Scorer: F. Cheveresan 72' (SI)
Referee: Andrea Scriha
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza u Alan Camilleri
TMI Top 3: 1. F. Cheveresan (Si), 2. T. Espindola (Si), 3. A. Borg (Si)
BOV Plejer tal-logħba: Flavio Silva Cheveresan (Sirens)
Attendance: 432
A solitary goal gave Sirens a precious win against Sliema Wanderers. The win was deserved for Steve D'Amato's team as they were more dangerous in attack and controlled their lead after they went ahead. Sliema disappointed as they lacked the necessary intensity to break the Sirens defence.
This win permitted Sirens to climb momentarily on top of the table while Sliema are now at the lower end of the table after the wins by Balzan and Birkirkara.
Sliema coach Alfonso Greco made four changes from the win against Tarxien Rainbows. Robert Carvajal made his debut, captain Mark Scerri returned from his suspension while Antonio Stelitano and Seydou Sow fought their way into the starting eleven. Steve D'Amato kept faith in the same squad that defeated Santa Lucia last week.
Sirens threatened first after 19 minutes with a low shot from defender Adrian Borg that finished centimetres off the post defended by Jake Galea. Six minutes later Borg was again dangerous as from a cross by Ryan Grech, rose above his opponents but his header was denied by the crossbar.
Another action by Sirens on the 41st minute. Ige Adeshina passed to Wellington de Oliveira who dribbled past Kurt Shaw but his final shot was saved by Galea. Just before the end of the half, Espindola entered the penalty area but Galea was aware to save the dangerous shot by the ex Ħamrun Spartans player.
Sirens continued to be the better team in the second half and almost took the lead ten minutes into the half with a shot from Emmanuel Okoye that finished whiskers off the upright.
The important action that decided the game happened on the 71st minute. From a corner by Espindola, Flavio Cheveresan's header was stopped on the line by the hand of Seydou Sow. Referee Andrea Sciriha pointed to the spot and sent-off the striker. Cheveresan had his penalty saved partially by Galea, but the towering striker scored from the rebound.
Sliema made no immediate reaction and Sirens almost killed the game on the 88th minute. Cheveresan crossed from the left to Ige Adeshina but the midfielder shot wide from few metres away. Sirens controlled the last minutes for another important three points.