Ten-man Sliema give Stars the blues

Vittoriosa Stars 0
Sliema Wanderers 1
Obiefule 69

The omens didn’t look encouraging for Sliema Wanderers when, less than an hour into their clash with Vittoriosa Stars, they were reduced to 10 men after defender Beppe Muscat was expelled.

With the score still goalless, Vittoriosa, who had been more than a match for their more-quoted opponents, were widely expected to storm into the depleted Blues but their endeavours were devoid of the spark needed to break down resolute opponents.

Prudence became Sliema’s priority but Mark Marlow’s youngsters refused to let their heads drop. The Blues showed great efficiency as Obinna Obiefule finished off a quick counter-thrust with a well-taken goal to lift the Blues to second place in the standings, level on points with Birkirkara, and consign Vittoriosa to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Vittoriosa had three former Sliema players in their starting formation, namely goalkeeper Simon Agius, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Sharlon Pace. Winston Muscat, the Vittoriosa coach, had to make do without Brazilian midfielder Edison and Jonathan Xerri, both injured.

Striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was restored to Sliema’s first XI after his two-goal cameo in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Ħamrun in their previous outing.

The start of the match was delayed for four minutes after the match officials discovered a fault in one of the goal nets.

Hardly two minutes from the start of the game had elapsed when Vittoriosa threatened to nose ahead.

Pierre Aquilina’s cross from a right-wing free-kick flew past a posse of Sliema players and towards the far post where Dino Cachia was unmarked but his shot was cut out by Muscat.

More sloppy defending, this time by Vittoriosa, produced another chance as John Mintoff retrieved possession in the box and centred. Aquilina’s poor clearance sailed at Obiefule whose shot was blocked.

Goalmouth action was something of a rarity for much of the opening half-hour as both teams struggled for creativity.

Jackson Lima tried his luck with a long-range drive but Agius saved with ease. At the other end, Leighton Grech was denied by Viktor Szentpeteri, the Sliema keeper.

Two minutes past the half-hour, Obiefule laid the ball back for Lima who swivelled before hitting a low strike that rolled wide.

It was Vittoriosa who came closest to breaking the deadlock as Anthony Ewurum raced into the box before aiming a diagonal shot that was tipped away by Szentpeteri.

Ewurum’s pass released Silva in the dying minutes of the first half but Szentpeteri quelled the danger.

Vittoriosa looked the brisker side as the second half got under way but scoring chances remained elusive.

Referee Mario Apap, who was making his top-flight debut, caught the eye when he brandished the red card to dismiss Muscat who earned a second booking for a foul on Silva.

Buoyed by Muscat’s red card, Vittoriosa tried to up the tempo of their game but they lacked the spark and bite to unlock the Sliema defence.

In their first significant foray into Vittoriosa’s half, Sliema nosed ahead midway into the second half. Mifsud Triganza orchestrated the move with an intelligent run through middle before he passed to Mintoff on the left. Mintoff switched the ball to the right where Obiefule drilled a low shot past Agius.

With Sliema switching to hold-what-you-have mode, the Cottonera outfit were expected to intensify their attacking forays but this was not forthcoming. It was only in the final five minutes that Vittoriosa threatened.

Ewurum should have equalised but, with only Szentpeteri to beat, the Nigerian’s shot was pushed way by the Hungarian goalkeeper.

Vittoriosa Stars
S. Agius-6, P. Aquilina-5 (65 C. Micallef-4), S. Pace-6 (84 J. Spiteri), J. Chetcuti-6, C. Compagnoli-4, D. Cachia-5.5 (76 M. Brincat), K. Mifsud-4, Jorge Santos Silva-4, A. Ewurum-4, S. Wellman-6.5, L. Grech-6.5.

Sliema Wanderers
V. Szentpeteri-7, J. Briffa-5.5 (55 J. Paris-5), J. Mifsud-6.5, S. Souare Tidiane-6, M. Scerri-7.5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (77 M. Ciantar), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, Jackson Lima-6, O. Obiefule-6, J. Mintoff-6.5 (88 R. Bajada), B. Muscat.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Muscat; Mintoff; Chetcuti; Mifsud Triganza; Wellman; Grech; Micallef.

Red card: Muscat (S) 59.

BOV player of the match: John Mintoff (Sliema).