Two-goal Veselji lifts Sliema

Sliema Wanderers 2
Valletta 1

On a night when a former Valletta player stole the show, Sliema Wanderers added weight to predictions that this could really be the year when they are crowned champions.

Two goals from Nenad Veselji, who not so long ago was on the books of Valletta, enabled the Blues to extend their lead at the top to 10 points, pending the result of Birkirkara's encounter with Mosta today, as they saw off the challenge of the Citizens, one of the pretenders to the league title.

The 2-1 scoreline may paint a picture of a balanced encounter but, in reality, Sliema should have won with plenty to spare but for their wastefulness in front of goal.

Deprived of the services of two of their most accomplished players, Gilbert Agius and Milen Penchev, this was always going to be an uphill struggle for Dennis Fenech's team against an opposition so well stocked with quality players.

Valletta tried to bridge the quality gap with their trademark commitment but they just could not match Sliema's fine play.

Veselji and Danilo Doncic have clearly emerged as Edward Aquilina's favourite attacking combination. Veselji's reading of the game, allied with articulate footwork, make him a tough client to deal with.

The early exchanges served up enough evidence that the Valletta defence, yesterday marshalled by veteran Nicky Saliba, was facing a difficult task to cope with Veselji and Doncic and their marauding midfield colleagues.

On one occasion, Veselji turned and lifted the ball towards goal only for his attempt to take a deflection off a City defender.

City also fashioned a good opportunity after seven minutes. From a David Carabott corner, Renie Forace rose to lay the ball into the path of Darren Debono whose first-time volley was deviated for a corner.

Racing onto a Grima pass, Doncic outfoxed Saliba before unleashing a diagonal shot which Sullivan saved.

The breakthrough was not long in coming and, not surprisingly, it was Sliema who got it after 14 minutes.

Combining craft with graft, Kevin Sammut powered his way through the middle, advancing up to the edge of the box before he dragged the ball back for Doncic. The Yugoslav striker wasted no time in supplying a teasing cross towards the unmarked Veselji who nodded the ball into the corner of the net.

Orosco Anonam, so much in the limelight lately after his return to Sliema, started on the bench but he was soon thrust into the fray to take the place of Joe Brincat whose evening was terminated prematurely by injury.

Valletta could have redressed the imbalance six minutes from half-time when Beppe Pace's glancing header from a Carabott free-kick looked destined to bulge the back of the net but Murphy Akanji, back to his best, denied him with a fine diving save.

The Citizens had been outshone by Sliema in the opening period but they began the second half in a more enterprising mood. This was reflected by their early equaliser.

Ivan Zammit curled an inviting cross from the right, Forace just touched the ball towards Oretan and in no time the leather was in the roof of the net. Game on.

Their resolve galvanised by their equaliser, Valletta now pushed forward with more tenacity but another electric Doncic-Veselji interchange had Sliema's noses back in front.

It was in the 54th minute when Doncic adroitly lofted the ball towards the steaming Veselji who showed his marker a clean pair of heels before stroking the ball past Sullivan with typical aplomb. The Sliema bench erupted with joy.

Massimo Grima, another industrious performer for Sliema yesterday, may have deepened Valletta's problems but his piledriver was smothered away by Sullivan. From the ensuing corner, the ball came Sammut's way but his strike was off target.

Midway through the second half, Doncic gave the illusion of a goal when his angled drive, after he had run clear of Karl Bonnici, flashed across the side-netting.

Fenech's players continued to huff and puff in their bid to restore parity but their lack of guile in midfield meant that their efforts were easily kept at bay.

That was not the case with Sliema who, profiting from acres of spaces in the Valletta half, threatened to make the game safe on a number of occasions despite the exit of Veselji, whose place was taken by David Camilleri.

Doncic had a low attempt saved by Sullivan after he was astutely served by Sammut. Twenty minutes from time, Anonam was quick to pounce on Debono's hesitancy as he bore towards goal but his chip was deviated by Sullivan for the ball to trickle inches wide of the far post.

Valletta claimed a penalty when Bogdanovic's cross-shot was repelled by the diving Ian Ciantar but referee Anton Zammit only awarded City a corner.

Anonam again came close to opening his account for the season but his rising shot was deflected for a corner.

As the end of the regular 90 minutes beckoned, the Citizens increased their efforts. Ten minutes from time, Bogdanovic's cross-shot was intercepted by Akanji, Zammit ran to retrieve the loose ball and appeared to have been slightly nudged by Jeffrey Chetcuti. 'Penalty', screamed the Valletta players, but the referee again waved play on.

Sliema refused to be fazed by Valletta's pressure but their speedy build-ups were often wasted by poor finishing and Sullivan's interventions. Doncic's Midas touch deserted him when he failed to connect with an Anonam pass while Said had a stooping header kept out by Sullivan.

One minute from time, Theuma fluffed a good chance for Valletta when blazing his shot over the bar when well-placed.

Fears of a late blow must have gripped the Sliema fans as their team persisted in spurning golden opportunities to seal the issue.

In time added on, Sammut freed Anonam inside the six-yard box, but again, he thumped the ball wide with only Sullivan to beat.

Sullivan nearly grabbed the limelight as he popped up in the Sliema box and managed to get a touch to Carabott's dipping free-kick but Akanji saved.

Sliema: M. Akanji, B. Said, I. Ciantar, J. Chetcuti, N. Turner, M. Grima, J. Brincat (O. Anonam), C. Mamo, D. Doncic, N. Veselji (D. Camilleri), K. Sammut.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Fenech (D. Trasokopoulos), D. Theuma, D. Debono, D. Carabott, D. Bogdanovic, R. Forace, C. Oretan, B. Pace (K. Bonnici), I. Zammit, N. Saliba.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Scorers: Veselji 14th, 54th; Oretan 46th.

Player Of The Match: Massimo Grima (Sliema Wanderers).