Mifsud Triganza's goal floors in-form Birkirkara

Birkirkara 0
Sliema Wanderers 1
Mifsud Triganza 37

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza came back to haunt former club Birkirkara as Sliema Wanderers dented the Stripes' chances of clinching top spot at the start of the Championship Pool in impressive style.

The scoreline may suggest that Sliema had won narrowly but it is deceptive. The Wanderers were able to squander several chances and still see off a Birkirkara side who made a contest of this encounter only in the last ten minutes or so.

Such a narrow scoreline was mainly down to Sliema's wastefulness. The slender goal-margin barely reflected the chasm in quality between these two teams offensively. Sliema's two young cavaliers, Mifsud Triganza and Clayton Failla, toyed with Birkirkara's defence from the word go and produced some marvellous flashes.

Never change a winning side is a mantra for Birkirkara mentor Paul Zammit as the Stripes started with the same formation that began Monday's 2-1 victory over Floriana.

On his part, Mark Marlow altered his winning team - 3-1 over Dingli last Sunday - by including Pedrinho in his starting formation.

The importance of the match to Sliema's top-six aspirations had been outlined by their furious opening salvo. And it almost reaped a reward after 13 minutes when Failla hit the foot of a post with a spectacular swerving shot.

Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora demonstrated his importance to Birkirkara eight minutes later with a brilliant block on Mifsud Triganza.

But Birkirkara did not survive long and Mifsud Triganza broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion after 37 minutes. The striker, who proved an astute signing for Sliema since his move from Birkirkara - took aim as the ball sat perfectly up in the air when Calcado's first attempt hit Branko Nisevic's chest and the former Stripes striker sent a stunning header beyond the outstretched arm of Mora.

Birkirkara were on the ropes but showed their class by almost fashioning a goal with their first attack after 41 minutes but Paul Fenech's effort came off the chest of Josef Mifsud.

Sliema were comfortably in command throughout the rest of the half, and despite faint signs of a Birkirkara revival in the late stages of the second period, it was Marlow's side who looked more likely to add to their lead.

On 52 minutes, Mifsud Triganza embarked on a solo run that culminated in a fierce drive, which crashed against a post.

Four minutes later, Mifsud Triganza shot tamely at the Birkirkara keeper when he should have done better and then he was slow to react when the onrushing Mora saved at his feet.

Just after the hour mark, Failla stole possession from Rowen Muscat and cut inside from the right before curling his shot just over the bar.

After 75 minutes, Mifsud Triganza played a return pass to the advancing Ivan Woods but the pass was not particularly accurate and Nisevic intercepted.

Despite Birkirkara's struggles it took Paul Zammit until 19 minutes from time to introduce Karl Pulo at the expense of the anonymous Trevor Cilia.

Birkirkara staged a late rally but could only force a number of corners.

It was too late to make an impact and Sliema took the points their performance richly deserved.

Birkirkara
J. Mora-6, P. Fenech-5, N. Vukanac-5, B. Nisevic-6, S. Bajada-5, T. Cilia-5 ('71 C. Pulo-5), C. Mamo-5, R. Muscat-6, T. Paris-5 ('79 A. Tabone), M. Galea-5, S. Comvalius-4.5.

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-6, A. Muscat-6, I. Azzopardi-6, J. Mifsud-6.5, R. Fenech-6.5, M. Scerri-6.5, I. Woods-6.5 ('89 I. Ciantar), L. Dronca-6, P. Calcado-6, C. Failla-7.5 ('78 J. Alcorse), J. Mifsud Triganza-8 ('90 C. Gatt Baldacchino).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow card: Pedrinho.

BoV player of the match: Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Sliema Wanderers).