Sliema W. 1
Tarxien R. 0
Sliema W.
J. Galea
M. Sansone
K. Shaw
J. Mintoff
M. Scerri (A. Stelitano 46)
F. Vasilchik
C. Zappa (A. Satariano 80)
J. Cisotti
G. Da Silva Ribeiro (JP Farrugia 66)
E. Agius
G. Adamovic
Tarxien R.
R. Briffa
M. Botta
T. Veronese
D. Mambouana (M. Ciantar 59)
G. Camilleri
A. Azzopardi (D. Vassallo 83)
A. Andrejic
M. Stanojevic
M. Tabone
M. Gomez (K. Ohata 70)
D. Zerafa
Referee: M. Apap
Asst refs: P. Apap, J. Muscat
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorer: JP Farrugia 90
Yellow cards: G. Camilleri 27, M. Sansone 70, M. Tabone 82, D. Zerafa 90
BOV Player of the match: J. Cisotti
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Cisotti, 2. G. Da Silva Ribeiro, 3. A. Andrejic
Sliema Wanderers obtained three precious points after beating Tarxien Rainbows 1-0 thanks to an added time goal from substitute Jean Paul Farrugia.
The victory enabled the Wanderers to sigh with relief even if they had to fight harder than expected to beat Tarxien's strong resistance.
The Blues now occupy 10th place on 20 points from 18 matches, on a better goal difference than Sta Lucia who lost against Sirens yesterday.
Sliema were under the charge of new coach Andrea Pisanu who left Alexander Satariano, Jonathan Pearson and Jean Paul Farrugia on the substitutes' bench at the start.
The first half was poor with Sliema enjoying territorial advantage without being dangerous in front of goal.
In fact, despite the promptings of Da Silva Ribeiro, they only tested goalkeeper Rudy Briffa once as the strikers seemed to lack punch in front of goal.
On the other hand, Tarxien concentrated mostly at the back and they were so well organised that they did not pass through any particularly anxious moment.
Up front, they rarely troubled the Sliema defence as their forays were few and far between. But to sum it up, their performance belied the lowly position they presently occupy in the standings.
In the second half, the Wanderers improved and also showed more determination, but still found it difficult to beat Tarxien's strong resistance.
However their frustration turned into great joy when substitute Jean Paul Farrugia headed the winner in added time.
Despite their almost continuous forcing on the Tarxien fort, they had again failed in their conclusions which were rather poor.
Tarxien did what was expected of them. They amassed their area to keep their opponents at bay and operated in counter-attacks which were mostly ineffective.
At the final whistle, they must have been very disappointed to leave the Hibernians Stadium empty handed.
The first action arrived on the 3rd minute. From a John Mintoff cross, the ball was cleared out to Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, but his effort finished well over the bar.
A few moments later, Sliema had another good chance when Vasilchik passed to the unmarked Claudio Zappa who saw his shot turned to corner by goalie Rudy Briffa.
Tarxien's reply came in the 17th minute. It was an Aleksa Andrejic shot from the edge of the area which was easily dealt with by Sliema goalie Jake Galea.
In the 28th minute, from a Da Silva freekick, a Kurt Shaw header was deviated close to the left upright to a corner.
In the 44th minute, Cisotti crossed into the Tarxien goal and it was Daniel Zerafa who cleared from near the goal line before a Sliema player could make contact from close in.
The second half started with Sliema once again on the attack and in the 47th minute, Cisotti's low shot did not pose any problems for goalie Briffa.
Another chance for Sliema arose on the hour. From a Da Silva Ribeiro pass, Vasilchik breasted down the ball for Cisotti, but the latter's effort only finished against the side netting.
In the 67th minute, a fine Sliema move between substitute Jean Paul Farrugia, Mintoff and Cisotti ended with a fine angled shot by the latter which went across goal. And soon after, goalie Briffa had to rush well out of his area to clear in extremis before Cisotti inflicted some damage.
Deep into added time, Sliema scored their winner when following a freekick by Edmond Agius, it was Jean Paul Farrugia who headed past a helpless Briffa in the Tarxien goal.