All-square on Sliema Wanderers' 'D-Day'

Birkirkara 0
Sliema Wanderers 0

History offers co-incidences, sometimes strange re-evocations.

Twenty years after coach Edward Aquilina, a former Sliema stalwart, buried his head in gloom after the Wanderers had been ousted from top-flight football under his charge, the Blues' mentor was this time back to relish his team's championship triumph.

It was his third league success after he had twice guided Valletta towards the highest place on the podium of the domestic game. For him this must have been the sweetest triumph, the result of a well-charted course backed by his coaching ally Hugh Caruana and the administrative nous of club boss Robert Arrigo.

More than working to exploit the undoubted technical abilities of his squad, Aquilina was aware that his hardest task was to ignite within his players the spark and brimstone needed to achieve the ultimate goal.

The players responded with typical aplomb. Individually and collectively, they contributed their share to maintain a high level of consistency since they took up top spot in the table eight months ago and until the title was wrapped up in mid-April.

After that some rot crept in. It may have been the result of anti-climax, coupled with complacency and some injury-forced defections.

The 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Hibernians and their 2-0 defeat against Valletta were followed up on 'D-Day' by at least avoiding further ignominy, when sharing the spoils against Birkirkara.

Indeed, in terms of hard currency the last three matches were little more than exercises in futility for the Wanderers. Apart from prestige, yesterday's final league clash was more of an opportunity for Sliema - and Birkirkara for that matter - to tune up in view of their FA Trophy commitments.

After the presentation rituals, prior to the kick-off, there was little tangible on the field of play except for a rising shot from Alan Tabone, yesterday given the starting nod, which seared over the target.

The Stripes' faction, not so dense for once as that of the Blues, had the streamers and provided vocal support.

The next effort, also over the top, came from M.A. Bonnici. Apart from tip-tapping the ball, Sliema had been bystanders for most of the time.

Their first real inroad came after half an hour when Justin Haber palmed away Noel Turner's cross before Danilo Doncic could do any damage. The latter was then on the end of a thrusting move but Haber pulled off a great reflex save.

Jason Cordina then thwarted Matthew Calascione when he dived at his feet, an episode that sparked off claims for a penalty from the Stripes.

It was more of a moratorium in the opening half. Something better was expected after the change of ends. Kris Laferla had to cut a Michael Galea cross before Calascione could connect.

Galea was again in action, this time his angled effort being blocked by Cordina. Oba hit high from an ideal position soon afterwards. The Stripes were playing with more cohesion at this point.

But Sliema went very close to breaking the deadlock. Doncic was partially impeded by Haber before he set up the cross towards Anonam, whose header was desperately blocked on the line by Camenzuli.

Birkirkara, with George Mallia on the sidelines, went surging forward and Galea went past Said, only to hit the side-rigging.

Although the atmosphere remained placid, action in the hot areas started brewing up. A timely tackle from Said on Galea averted danger. The same player had the Sliema goalkeeper diving to save.

The Stripes' vertical balls found either Galea or Calascione going in for the kill. Sliema became less audacious in their forward movement. In the meantime, the Yellow-Reds were winning set-pieces.

One particular flag-kick had Cordina blocking instinctively on Dimech before the Blues defenders somehow scooped the ball to safety.

Mallia came on for Tabone with 20 minutes to go. Sliema were defending grimly as the Stripes threw more men forward. Their superior commitment was having sway.

The best chance, though, fell to Mangion, who all alone in front of goal, overkicked the ball amid the Stripes' players relief. Calascione then hit wide with the Wanderers defenders caught unbalanced.

It was touch and go till the end as Sliema ventured into attack to force a couple of flag-kicks against a posse of such set-pieces which the Stripes procured.

In the end it finished fairly and squarely with Birkirkara claiming more possession and driving in the second period and the Wanderers seemingly satisfied to hold on to what they had started with.

After the final whistle, captain Noel Turner, accompanied by Sliema's other dependable faithful Ian Ciantar, with Robert Arrigo in attendance, was presented with the championship cup by Malta FA president Joe Mifsud.

The Blues were in a festive mood. They went on with floats and carcades to celebrate their success in Sliema. They have until now maintained a winning sequence of at least one league crown in every decade since they won the first championship in 1919-20.

Of statistical importance was the fact that Doncic, Galea and Adrian Mifsud, of Hibs, finished joint top with 18 goals in the scorers' list.

Birkirkara: J. Haber, M.A. Bonnici, W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione (R. Sammut), M. Galea, C. Nwoko, R. Oba (C. Micallef), L. Dronca, A. Tabone (G. Mallia), R. Briffa, L. Dimech.

Sliema: J. Cordina, C. Mamo, B. Said, M. Grima, N. Turner, D. Doncic, J. Chetcuti (D. Camilleri), R. Mangion (K. Sammut), O. Anonam (I. Ciantar), C. Okoh, K. Laferla.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Yellow Card: Said.

Player Of The Match: Rufin Oba (Birkirkara).