Blues tame fiery Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk 0
Sliema Wanderers 3

A slick Sliema Wanderers' team were just short of some more finishing precision when dismissing potentially tricky opponents in the shape of Marsaxlokk yesterday evening.

Otherwise they would have won by a bigger margin.

An articulate display of football which had first-time passing and speed of thought as its base had the league leaders passing their test against the promoted with more than a bagful to spare.

The Blues, sensing that they had to put their feet on the accelerator from the word go, took little time to assert their authority on the game.

Marsaxlokk, so vibrant and well-organised when picking valuable points from their recent outings, could never cope with their opponents' methodical build-ups, and most of the time they were with their backs to the rope.

As it transpired, the fiery southseasiders were tamed with two first-half goals after which the Wanderers administered their advantage with consummate ease, before adding another one to make it a comprehensive victory.

Nenad Veselji was soon in action together with Kevin Sammut. They both hit the woodwork in quick succession inside the first two minutes.

Veselji then had the ball in the net following an incursion from Danilo Doncic, but the point was annulled for a linear infringement.

With Edoardo do Nascimento - Bizu, back in business after his one-match suspension and with Sammut given the nod in lieu of David Camilleri, the Blues, without Massimo Grima (suspended) and Carlo Mamo (unfit) were by far the busier team.

However, Marsaxlokk were almost on target in their first raid. Johan Zammit, in a suspiciously offside position, hit the outside of the upright with only Murphy Akanji to beat.

The Wanderers had a couple of promising attacks which were self-aborted through careless finishing. Reggie Cini foiled Doncic in unorthodox fashion as Blue-shirted players maintained the pressure.

After 27 minutes, Uwa Ogbodo, surprisingly left out from J.J. Aquilina's starting line-up, came on for Brendan Zammit.

This change was meant to infuse some flair in the southerners' forward-moving momentum. Carmel Formosa was moved to the right.

Veselji, put through by Joe Brincat, again hit the woodwork. But he hit the jackpot at the third time of asking. He met a perfect pass from Bizu and side-stepped a defender before hitting in via Cini's hands.

Sliema kept the upperhand. Doncic went on a long run before being denied by Cini.

Veselji hobbled off, leaving his place to Rupert Mangion five minutes from the interval.

Marsaxlokk could only bank on set-pieces or long balls. Sliema provided the imaginative teamwork and the punch.

Their second goal just before the half-time whistle, was of the copybook type in terms of collective qualities and clinical execution.

A lightning first-time move between Doncic and the ever-steady Chris Okoh, had the latter floating perfectly towards Mangion. The header was as strong as it was exquisite. The Wanderers were two goals up.

The Wanderers's intentions were to dispel any doubts as to a possible comeback by the promoted team.

The baton was still in their hands. Okoh skied on an inviting ball as the wind kept blowing in the Blues' favour.

Richard Buhagiar went near, but it was Sliema who had two other excellent moves to their credit.

On both occasions, Cini pulled off remarkable saves on the solid Noel Turner, yesterday named player of the match, and then on Sammut.

The latter sealed his side's victory on more legitimate dimensions when he fired in beautifully from 25 metres almost at the death.

Marsaxlokk: R. Cini, K. Farrugia, D. Cauchi, J. Tellus, R. Buhagiar (P. Bartes), P. Grima, R. Walker, J. Farrugia (T. Templeman), B. Zammit (U. Ogbodo), J. Zammit, C. Formosa.

Sliema: M. Akanji, I. Ciantar, B. Said, J. Chetcuti, N. Turner, K. Sammut, J. Brincat, C. Okoh, E. Do Nascimento, D. Doncic, N. Veselji (R. Mangion).

Referee: Charlie Agius.

Scorers: Veselji 34th; Mangion 45th; Sammut 89th.

Yellow Cards: Buhagiar; Templeman; Said; Zammit.

Player of the match: Noel Turner (Sliema Wanderers).