A controversial penalty on the hour scored by Henrique Murillo Freire paved the way for Sliema’s return to victory yesterday in the derby against Gzira. This win practically puts the Wanderers back in Europe straight from the Challenge League, surely a great achievement for the side led by Paul Zammit.

Penalty incident apart, Sliema deserved their victory especially after their second half performance. With Marsaxlokk beaten by Mosta in the morning match, Sliema have now a nine-point lead over Winston Muscat’s side, and the third place and an eventual Conference League berth is well in Sliema’ grasp.

For the Maroons a rather unexpected setback after three successive wins without conceding a goal. The defeat puts back the Maroons in troubled waters as Santa Lucia, Valletta, Naxxar and Mosta, all gained points as the relegation battle intensifies. Needless to say, next Sunday’s clash between Gzira and Valletta has all the ingredients of a decisive battle.

The match offered little to talk about in the first half with play mainly in midfield with both sides rather erratic. Gzira were found wanting in attack with Brooklyn Borg unable to do much on high balls with Freire and Alcino dominating in the air. In the second half Sliema were surely more motivated and pushed forward with more intensity.

Then on the hour the turning point of the game when there was contact in the area between Marcelo Dias and Adukor with the referee pointing straight to the penalty spot. Television repeats failed to clarify, but it must be said that Fyodor Zammit was very close to the incident and had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Seven minutes later Jackson Mendoza received a second yellow after a nasty tackle on Adukor and from then onwards it was practically a mission-impossible affair for the Maroons.

In the first half an Aldama header was saved by Al Tumi and on the other end Adukor headed over the bar from a corner action. On 59 minutes the penalty incident, a penalty that was converted by the player of the match Henrique Murillo Freire.

With the sending off of Mendoza on 66 minutes Gzira’s midfield was dealt a fatal blow. The midfield was already struggling after Riascos had to be substituted at the interval, and with Mendoza sent off, the Sliema midfield was in full control.

Sliema had some good scoring opportunities to seal the issue but had to wait till deep in stoppage time to put their minds at rest. Gzira had no options and gun powder to gun down the Sliema fort and the result was never in doubt. Then on 97 minutes the last substitute introduced by Zammit, Neil Frendo, scored with a low shot that gave Zarkov no chance.