Marsaxlokk, Sliema look for change in fortunes

Inconsistency is the precise word to describe the performances of Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk after the opening round of the Premier League trek.

Having invested so heavily in summer to strengthen their squads, much more was expected from these two clubs, tipped by many to be at the forefront in the charge for honours. So far, however, they have failed to live up to expectations.

Three defeats from nine matches have seen the champions completing the first round in fourth place... well adrift of leaders Birkirkara. It was a poor turnover for a side that boasts some of the finest players in the Premier League following the arrivals of Stefan Giglio and Daniel Bogdanovic.

Marsaxlokk, after their top-six finish in their Premier League debut last season, acquired the services of some established players but their current placing is somewhat short of what president Victor Sciriha had hoped for.

Tomorrow, Sliema and Marsaxlokk will be looking to relaunch their assault towards the top placings when they clash at the Tedesco Stadium (kick-off 2.45 p.m.), hoping no similar mishaps will occur as the ones last week when fans scaled high-rising perimeter walls after they were locked out due to security.

Sliema will have midfielder Massimo Grima back after a three-month doping suspension.

Grima, whose last appearance for the Wanderers in domestic competition came in a 2-0 Super Cup final defeat to Birkirkara, is looking forward to help the team close an eight-point gap with front runners Birkirkara who were outstanding last week in trouncing Pietà 5-1.

"The past three months were a complete frustration," he said. "But, I trained hard to retain a good physical condition. Now, I'm fully geared to help Sliema regain form.

"Marsaxlokk are a good side though and they will be hard to beat. But, we've got a strong squad at Sliema as well, probably the best around. The team's return to the good old days is only a matter of time, I suppose."

Grima, 24, reckons new players take time to settle down in the team.

"With the quality there is in our squad our fans expected better," he said. "However, it is never easy for new players to find their feet immediately in new surroundings... inevitably that was mirrored in our results even though that alone is no good excuse for our poor start.

"This break came at the right time. During this time we looked at our weaknesses and practised really hard both on fitness and technique. I'm sure the fans will see a different Sliema on Sunday."

Coach Edward Aquilina will be without experienced duo Joe Brincat (suspended) and libero Kris Laferla (hamstring problems).

Marsaxlokk are also hampered by the absence of two key players - Donatas Vencevicius, of Lithuania, and skipper Etienne Barbara. They are both suspended.

Coach Robert Kelly, however, will be encouraged by the return to full fitness of defender David Carabott.

David Camilleri will be facing his former team-mates tomorrow. Despite the notable absences in his team, Camilleri is confident Marsaxlokk are still strong enough to beat the champions who were held to a two-all draw in the corresponding first-round fixture.

"Sliema will be difficult to beat, they are good in all departments. But we have our strengths as well," he said.

"If you look at most of our performances this season the team has shown encouraging signs of progress. We deserved better in some matches, like the ones against Birkirkara and Hibernians for instance. In the first round we held Sliema to a draw and in those two matches we were unlucky to finish empty-handed.

"I am sure we will improve even further as the season goes along. Most of the teams are still grouped closely to each other. There is little difference. But, Marsaxlokk have to show more consistency in their play. This phase is crucial... we have to win matches and secure a place in the Championship Pool."

First round: Sliema vs Marsaxlokk 2-2.

Hibs aiming high

Three points for Hibernians in tomorrow's opening match (kick-off: 12.45 p.m.) against Msida will see the Paolites leapfrogging Pietà Hotspurs into second place, two points behind early pacesetters Birkirkara.

Msida have been idle for almost four weeks now. Their last outing was against Floriana on October 24, a match the Greens narrowly won 2-1 leaving Joe Grech's team in a precarious placing in the bottom half of the standings.

Hibs had a chance to sharpen up during the now customary break for re-seeding process though. Two weeks ago, they played a solid match but had to rely on a last-minute Ndubisi Chukunyere goal to beat Floriana at the Centenary Stadium.

Hibs struggled to beat Msida in the first round, Cesar Paiber scoring twice from the penalty spot in a 3-2 comeback win, but coach Robert Gatt will still ask for six points from the next two matches. After Msida, Hibs will face modest Balzan next week.

Gatt is spoilt for choice now that Adrian Mifsud is back in the squad and Essien Mbong returns from suspension.

Hibernians could easily become Birkirkara's main rivals in the title chase, especially now that the Stripes will have to do without Michael Galea for around seven weeks.

Today, the free-scoring striker undergoes surgery on a damaged cartilage. Birkirkara, in the meantime, are expecting the arrival of a Nigerian in the coming days for a trial.

Msida have Manuel Boni in doubt after the defender returned from homeland Italy injured. Boni missed a friendly on Monday which saw Msida beating Lija Athletic 3-2.

Also missing from that warm-up at St Aloysius was goalkeeper Omar Borg and Daniel Nwoke. Tomorrow, however, both players are expected in Grech's starting line-up.

Insiders yesterday told The Times that Msida, who had a Romanian midfielder on trial, have just secured the services of Nwoke and strike partner Olumuyiwa Aganun for the next two years. Both Nigerians extended their contracts until 2005.

First round: Msida vs Hibernians 2-3.