Champions stroll to easy win

Hamrun Spartans 0
Sliema Wanderers 3

Champions Sliema Wanderers cruised to an easy victory over lowly Hamrun Spartans to return to winning ways after a 1-0 defeat to rivals Birkirkara last Monday.

An early goal went a long way towards easing any nerves the champions may have had before this fixture.

A second strike before the end of the first half all but secured the three points for Edward Aquilina's team who pranced around the pitch nonchalantly in the second half as if they were taking part in a training session.

Their third strike 11 minutes from time put a gloss on an otherwise unimpressive performance.

Despite the suspension of Stefan Giglio and injuries to Joe Brincat and Kris Laferla, the Blues' rich playing resources are such that they still fielded a strong team that proved far superior to their modest opponents.

The champions did not produce flashy football, nor did they indulge in elaborate moves to dispose of the Spartans.

They simply accomplished their assignment in clinical fashion without putting a strain on their reserves of energy before their clash with Pietà Hotspurs on Friday.

Yesterday's encounter further exposed the gulf that separates the championship contenders from the relegation strugglers.

Rooted to the bottom of the table with one point from seven matches, Hamrun's deep woes were further compounded by the absence of Jonathan Magri Overend although Graham Bencini recovered from injury and was included in the starting line-up.

The Spartans are having a very poor campaign. Plagued by boardroom problems and financial woes, this once mighty team has fallen on hard times.

The appointment of Gencho Dobrev as coach following the resignation of Patrick Curmi may have helped to relieve some of the uncertainty hovering over the club but a match against the champions was not what the Spartans wanted at such a delicate stage.

Sliema were a wounded side after their defeat to Birkirkara and Aquilina will have urged his side not to show any signs of complacency against the Spartans.

The champions' task was certainly helped by their scoring an early goal that had a massive bearing on the encounter.

The match was barely four minutes old when Rupert Mangion picked out Dybrill Sylla inside the penalty area.

The former Malta midfielder, who has established himself as a regular in Sliema's first team, directed a shot at goal only for his effort to rebound off the woodwork. Daniel Bogdanovic was on the right spot to head the ball home.

There was little action worthy of a note thereafter before Sliema doubled their lead seven minutes from half-time.

A measured pass from Danilo Doncic caught the Spartans' rearguard off balance as the unchallenged Bogdanovic burst inside the penalty area.

The Malta striker aimed a shot at goal but Ivan Casha diverted the ball's flight away from goal. This turned out to be a temporary reprieve for the Spartans as the unmarked Noel Turner slotted the rebound into the net.

A minute from half-time, Mangion powered his way past two defenders and inside the penalty area. The ex-Hamrun player, who was also voted MIA player of the match, was expected to beat Casha with ease but miscued his shot.

The only way Hamrun could revive their flagging hopes was by obtaining an early goal after the change of ends.

This nearly materialised a minute into the second half as Mauro Brincat lobbed the ball towards Stefan Sultana who headed wide from an inviting position.

A goal would have been a fitting tribute for the veteran striker who was playing his 350th match in the top flight.

The game again descended into a scrappy affair before Sliema struck for the third time in the last quarter of an hour.

Mangion's corner sailed towards the far post where substitute Jamie Pace was on hand to pull the ball back towards the centre. His pass reached Brian Said who hammered the ball home from close range.

In added time, the Spartans nearly managed a consolation goal, Brincat's volley ending over the crossbar.

Hamrun: I. Casha, J. Debattista, A. Attard, R. Bajada (J. Briffa), W. Attard (K. Fabri), K. Borg, M. Brincat, S. Sultana, G. Bencini, E. Briffa, N. Fasanelli.

Sliema: M. Akanji (A. Camilleri), C. Mamo, B. Said, N. Turner, K. Sammut, D. Doncic, D. Bogdanovic (N. Veselji), J. Chetcuti, R. Mangion, O. Anonam (J. Pace), D. Sylla.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorers: Bogdanovic 4; Turner 38; Said 79.

Yellow Card: Brincat.

MIA Player Of The Match: Rupert Mangion (Sliema Wanderers).