SLIEMA WANDERERS 4

FLORIANA 1

In the Old-Firm clash, Sliema Wanderers taught Floriana a lesson in clinical finishing as they scored four goals to heap more misery on their troubled opponents.

It was all Sliema in the opening minutes with Muchardi often breaking free on the left flank as the Greens struggled to contain the surging runs of the Sliema winger although Daniel Hanford was never really tested in the Floriana goal.

But when after 19 minutes, Gatt Baldacchino scythed down Igor Coronado to end Floriana’s first serious venture towards the Sliema penalty area, Muir unleashed a low free-kick that squirm out of Bonello’s hands and rolled gently into the net.

With the clock signalling the first half an hour, Sliema levelled the score. Stefano Bianciardi was at hand to meet Vladavic’s corner as the Italian defender headed powerfully into the net.

There was another scare for the Greens two minutes after the break when Vladavic’s long pass dropped at the feet of Ohawuchi who served Cilia whose dipping shot from the left finished wide of the mark.

Sliema’s superior organisation enabled them to establish a foothold in the game. Past the hour mark, an exquisite one-two between Muchardi and Ohawuchi unlocked the defence as the Argentine’s through-ball released the Nigerian striker who shot straight into Hanford. This was the cue for Alfonso Greco to bring on Ivan Woods, taking the number of strikers on the pitch to four.

Adding impetus to the Wanderers’ attacking endeavours, Woods made an instant impact. Ohawuchi stormed into the Floriana penalty area before squaring the ball for Woods who was being closely shadowed by Sacha Borg. The Floriana defender lost the balance and with the loose ball up for grabs, Cilia nipped in to beat the surprised Hanford with a crisp grounder.

Five minutes later, Sliema added another goal to kill the Greens’ hopes. Running on the left flank, John Mintoff fended off the attentions of Darrell Baldacchino, before leaving himself almost no margin of error in poking the ball between the goalkeeper and the woodwork.

With Sliema 3-1 up and Floriana showing no signs of recovery, the game was as good as over as a contest but Ohawuchi showed his struggling opponents no mercy in the final 10 minutes. Muir was judged to have fouled the Nigerian in the penalty after and Woods stepped for the penalty to drill his shot behind Hanford.