Sliema W-Birkirkara 2-1
Sliema W: J. Galea, J. Mintoff, J. Carvajal Diaz, C. Zappa (A. Stelitano 85'), J. Cisotti, G. Barone,. J. Gill, P. Xuereb, C. Pani, G. Adamovic (A. Satariano 32'), J.P. Farrugia
Birkirkara: A. Hogg, J. De Souza Ferreira (M. Mifsud 82'), E. Pepe, M. Guillaumier, M. Vella, K. Zammit, Y. Yankam, F. Falcone, H. Prado Caio, O. Carniello, I. Ntow.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Ass.Referees: Luke Portelli, James Muscat
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Scorers: H. Prado Caio 41', J.P. Farrugia 43', J. Cisotti 75'
Yellow cards: J. Gill Cruz 38', J. Cisotti 51'
Player of the match: Juri Cisotti
TMI Best Three: 1. J. Cisotti 2. J. Galea 3. M. Guillaumier
Attendance: 714
A Juri Cisotti stunner fifteen minutes from time gave Sliema a come from behind win against Birkirkara. For the Blues, this was their third successive win as they are making a revival and are now a point above the same Stripes in the table.
For Birkirkara, this was an abrupt stop after two successive wins, as the old problems emerged yesterday. The Stripes were surely the better team in the first half, but they failed to take advantage of the chances created.
The second half was more balanced with Sliema even holding the edge. The Wanderers were clinical in their finishing scoring two goals from practically three attempts at goal. Their goalkeeper Jake Galea was one of the best too with some brilliant saves, and credit also goes to Jean Paul Farrugia who almost fought a battle on his own in attack.
Birkirkara had a better start with Falcone even finding the back of the net on seven minutes but Prado Caio in an offside position touched the ball and the goal was disallowed. Sixty seconds later Falcone fired over the bar from an ideal position.
On ten minutes Prado Caio fired low but Galea was on the alert and blocked his shot. The Stripes continued to dictate matters and on 26 minutes Barone was on the right spot to clear the danger following a bad sortie from the Sliema goalkeeper.
Two minutes later a Guillaumier shot missed the target. On the half-hour, Sliema lost Goran Adamovic who limped off and was substituted by Alex Satariano. This moved pushed Carvajal in a defensive role, with Satariano in an advanced position on the left.
On 37 minutes a good Birkirkara move with Prado Caio passing towards Falcone, who shot slightly wide. Two minutes later Yankam missed a golden opportunity when Prado Caio served him well, but the ex Qormi player missed a sitter in front of goal.
On 41 minutes Birkirkara broke the deadlock when Guillaumier passed towards Prado Caio who lobbed over Jake Galea for a well-taken goal. Two minutes later however Sliema Wanderers drew level when Zappa crossed from the goal line, and Jean Paul Farrugia pounced on the ball to score with an elegant flick from a very acute angle.
The Stripes went again on the offensive on the resumption with a Falcone brilliantly saved by Galea, with the Sliema custodian again instrumental blocking a Falcone scorcher.
After these attempts the Wanderers started to play better, taking control of the midfield and having more of the ball. Goalmouth actions were scarce in this phase until Sliema's winner fifteen minutes from time.
It was a stunning strike from around thirty meters with Hogg helpless and with the ball in the top corner of the net. Seconds later Sliema almost sealed the issue with a third goal when Cisotti crossed towards Jean Paul Farrugia whose flying header was well saved by Hogg.
In the remaining minutes, Birkirkara tried to snatch at least a point from this match, but at this stage, they had lost their flair and brilliance. Coach Paus introduced striker Micaehl Mifsud in a desperate attempt to save the match, but Malta's leading all-time scorer failed to make an impact as the Wanderers held on to their slender but precious lead.