Sliema Wanderers were beaten by neighbours Gzira yesterday to slump to their fifth successive defeat, a defeat that leaves them winless and firmly at the bottom of the table. Although Gzira grabbed the points at stake, the result was rather harsh on the Blues who played their hearts out, but they simply failed to put the ball at the back of the net.

On the other hand the Maroons were ruthless in front of goal, also taking full advantage of some Sliema defensive lapses.

Sliema had a very good start with Piciollo having a great opportunity inside the first minute, but his close range effort was blocked by goalkeeper and the same Piciollo failed to connect from the rebound.

On twelve minutes Gzira took the lead when Steve Pisani scored a beauty direct from a freekick. Sliema tried to make an immediate reaction but were punished six minutes later when Sliema goalkeeper Aquilina failed to clear the adequately with the ball intercepted by Maxwell Maia, who lobbed beautifully home with Aquilina completely out of position.

Sliema did manage to score on 28 minutes when Inters Gui headed home a Jean Paul Farrugia cross but the goal was disallowed apparently because the ball had crossed the before Farrugia’s cross. Sliema’s protests were to no avail and minutes later they were almost punished again but this time Aqulina brilliantly saved De Assis’ grounder.

Five minutes from the break Sliema went close with a Morales freekick that was well saved by Radelic.

On the resumption Sliema surged forward with a Davis effort going over the bar. On 56 minutes a Maia low drive was deflected just past the post and from the resultant corner Maia’s header hit the crossbar.

Sliema went close again with a Farrugia header that was somehow saved by Radelic. On 70 minutes Gzira sealed the issue with a third goal when Jefferson De Assis scored with a low shot after a fast break.

Gzira almost scored again four minutes later but Maia’s low drive hit the side netting. Ten minutes from time, Sliema were again denied, this time by defender Cosic who cleared off the goal line an Uchida shot. However Sliema’s efforts were finally rewarded on 87 minutes when Jean Paul Farrugia managed to head home past Radelic.