Old Firm derby joy for Greens

Sliema Wanderers 0
Floriana 1

The attention before the start of this Old Firm derby was on the new faces in Sliema Wanderers' 'star-studded' squad but by the end of the match, the focus had shifted decidedly onto Floriana.

The Greens may not possess the same abundance of star names as their wealthy rivals but for the umpteenth time this season, Floriana showed that reputation alone doesn't win you games unless it is backed by commitment and sound teamwork.

Coming into their second meeting of the season level-pegging on 21 points, both Floriana and Sliema were looking for a win to stay clear of the pack chasing a Championship Pool berth as well as to keep up the pressure on leaders Valletta.

A slow-burning encounter saw Sliema squander a golden opportunity to forge ahead when Etienne Barbara missed a first-half penalty but Floriana recovered from this scare and upped the tempo, especially in the second half.

The game looked heading for a draw but with five minutes of the game left, Ryan Darmanin hit the target to give Floriana 1-0 win, much to the disappointment of Sliema who have not won in their last three games.

Stephen Azzopardi's options for yesterday's Old Firm derby were boosted by the addition of two new players, defender Branko Nisevic and Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva.

With Sharlon Pace ruled out by a one-match ban, Nisevic was drafted in at centre-back for his Sliema debut but Da Silva had to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench.

Noel Turner, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Ian Ciantar and Aleksandar Madzar were also left out of Azzopardi's starting XI as flank defenders Ian Azzopardi and Alex Muscat reclaimed their place in the team after recovering from injuries.

A surprise inclusion in Sliema's formation yesterday was youngster Mark Scerri who partnered Roderick Bajada in the centre of the Wanderers' midfield as Azzopardi set his team out in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Floriana coach Danilo Doncic was without midfielder Christian Cassar, out through suspension, but otherwise all the other players were available for selection.

Doncic reshaped his defence from the 4-1 defeat of Mqabba as Serbian Darko Krsteski and Julian Briffa were handed a first-team recall.

Goalmouth action was at a premium in the opening exchanges but on 16 minutes, Sliema came close to breaking the deadlock. Barbara supplied an inviting cross from a left-wing free-kick and Ivan Woods headed the ball downward but his attempt was deflected past the far post.

Sliema ought to have opened the scoring six minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Manolito Micallef was adjudged to have tripped Barbara just inside the box. Barbara stepped up for the penalty kick but he sent his shot over the bar after losing his balance.

Reprieved by Barbara's penalty miss, Floriana endeavoured to prevent their opponents gaining a foothold in the match.

Gradually, the Greens came more into the picture and five minutes from half-time, stand-in captain Trevor Cilia caused consternation for Sliema with a dipping effort from the right which flew wide of the far post.

After Floriana had been forced to withdraw the injured Zoran Levniac midway through the first half, Sliema made their first change at half-time, Chetcuti replacing Azzopardi who picked up a knock.

Early in the second half, Muscat's angled drive was diverted into the path of Bajada whose shot from the left side of the area somehow reached Woods. The latter's attempt to lift the ball into the net from close range was deviated for a corner.

A sweeping counter-attack by Floriana 11 minutes into the second half threatened to breach Sliema's defensive lines as Yala Bolasie switched the ball to Chris Caruana who cut in from the left but curled his shot over the bar.

The entertainment value of the game increased as the second half wore on thanks largely to the two teams' propensity to attack.

Woods should have given Sliema the lead when Briffa's lofted pass found him unmarked inside the area but the Malta forward could not get enough power to his volley and Agius saved.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Woods again benefited from another through-ball by Briffa but this time, his shot came off Micallef. Then Darmanin looked all set to score for Floriana when Cilia's low cross found him unchallenged but the lanky striker made a hash of his shot and Said nipped in to knock the ball away from goal.

Another fine Floriana chance went astray 14 minutes from time when Cilia blasted high from an angled position.

Seven minutes from time, Woods was first to Muscat's cross but his acrobatic volley rolled wide of the far post.

From the possibility of going a goal up, Sliema found themselves in arrears five minutes from time. The Blues defence was caught at sixes and sevens as Micallef headed a long clearance on to Darmanin who swept past Akanji and guided the ball into the net for Floriana's winner.

Sliema: M. Akanji-5, A. Muscat-5, I. Azzopardi-5 ('46 J Chetcuti-5.5), B. Said-6.5, B. Nisevic-7, M. Scerri-5, R. Bajada-6, I. Woods-5.5, O. Anonam-5 ('75 A.R. Da Silva), R. Briffa-6.5 ('84 A. Madzar), E. Barbara-6.

Floriana: S. Agius-6, O. Bugeja-5.5, J. Briffa-6.5, D. Krsteski-6, M. Sevasta-4.5 ('72 C. Ciantar), Z. Levniac-5 ('25 C. Caruana-6.5), M. Brincat-7, M. Micallef-6.5, T. Cilia-6.5 ('77 D. Pisani), Y. Bolasie-6.5, R. Darmanin-6.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Scorer: Darmanin 85.

Missed Penalty: Barbara (S) 22.

Yellow Cards: Woods; J. Briffa; Krsteski; R. Briffa; Muscat; Bolasie; Scerri; Bajada; Said.

BOV Player Of The Match: Branko Nisevic (Sliema).