Sliema prevail in goal bonanza

Sliema Wanderers 5
Woods 26, Bartolo 48, 75, Bajada 56, 84
Ħamrun Spartans 3
Meilak 2, Effiong 35, Sultana 76

Sliema Wanderers maintained their winning streak by claiming a third successive victory after beating Hamrun Spartans 5-3 yesterday at Ta' Qali.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach who returned to the bench after serving a one-match ban, will fancy his side's chances of claiming the runners-up spot as his resurgent team now trail second-placed Birkirkara by a mere two points with two matches left.

The Spartans have already surpassed expectations by claiming a Championship Pool berth after winning promotion to the top flight last year. Anchored at the bottom of the Championship Pool classification but with their name in the hat for the semi-final draw of the FA Trophy, Marco Gerada's side looks set to concentrate fully on the knockout competition which resumes once the league campaign comes to a close.

A sprightly opening saw the Spartans storm into an early lead but as the game wore on, the Wanderers kicked into action and a second-half effort propelled them to victory.

Barely less than two minutes had elapsed when the Spartans shocked their opponents with the opening goal. Gaetan Spiteri spotted the unmarked Meilak who buried the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, Bartolo nearly notched the equaliser as he unleashed a shot that rebounded off the post.

On 26 minutes, the Wanderers drew level. Bajada lofted his free-kick inside the area and Ivan Woods darted in from nowhere with a header that had the ball flying into the net. Seconds later Effiong nearly had the better of Akanji as he managed an out-step effort which was brilliantly repelled by the Sliema netminder.

Effiong made sure that he did not miss the next opportunity which came his way ten minutes from half-time.

The Nigerian flung the ball forward in what seemed to be a cross towards Spiteri. The assistant referee flagged for an offside but Effiong sprinted on before curling a perfect shot into the net to put the Spartans in front.

Sliema could have restored parity on the stroke of half-time as Woods's header thumped off the bar and in the arms of Falzon.

After the interval, Sliema introduced Jeffrey Chetcuti in lieu of Noel Turner as Briffa, who had a rather poor performance patrolling the left side of defence, was assigned a more natural midfield role.

This move paid dividends three minutes after the re-start as Barbara swung a corner that was well met by Bartolo whose flashing header beat the Hamrun keeper.

Having annulled the deficit once again, Sliema were now in control of proceedings and could have been in the lead on 51 minutes but a Bajada shot shaved the post.

Five minutes later, Hamrun's rearguard wilted under the pressure. Woods skewed the ball towards the unmarked Bajada who spiked a shot that evaded the clutches of Falzon and handed Sliema a 3-2 lead.

Sliema put the game beyond their opponents' reach as they notched their fourth goal on 75 minutes.

Bartolo calmly controlled the ball and flicked a low shot towards goal. With Falzon failing to stop the attempt and the ball heading into an empty net, defender Bonnici tried to clear the effort but only managed to propel the shot into the net.

Cruising towards yet another victory, Sliema hardly expected their opponents to react but a minute later substitute Stefan Sultana reduced the arrears.

The bonanza of goals continued inside the last few minutes of the encounter when Bajada notched his second of the day to seal Sliema's victory.

Sliema Wanderers
M. Akanji ('63 H. Bonello), A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, B. Said, N. Turner ('46 J. Chetcuti), M. Scerri, R. Bajada, M. Bartolo, I. Woods, R. Briffa, E. Barbara ('86 M. Ciantar).

Ħamrun Spartans
M. Falzon, M.A. Bonnici ('83 L. J. Agius), P. Monye, R. Fenech, S. Meilak ('65 S. Sultana), R. Fenech, R. Mangion, N. Galea ('83 K. Borg), B. Timotic, G. Spiteri, A. Effiong.

Referee Saviour Tanti.

Yellow card Bartolo.

BOV Player of the match Matthew Bartolo (Sliema Wanderers).