Sliema, Marsaxlokk settle for a draw

Sliema Wanderers 1
Lima 50;
Marsaxlokk 1
Guereiro 40;

Sliema Wanderers are still languishing at the wrong end of the standings after settling for a draw with Marsaxlokk yesterday.

But it could have been worse for Mark Marlow’s Blues as the Southerners produced a spirited performance that might have sneaked them a win had they shown more composure in front of goal, particularly late on.

Patrick Curmi’s Marsaxlokk had started the day in mid-table but such is the congested nature of the standings this season that their point lifted them in fifth place, jointly with Birkirkara, albeit the latter have a game in hand.

The southseasiders did, at least, interrupt a sequence of two straight defeats.

Sliema were down to their bare bones as Marlow was forced to make three changes from the team that started against Birkirkara with defenders Julian Briffa and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and winger John Mintoff each serving a one match-ban. It was left to Miguel Ciantar, Roderick Bajada and Beppe Muscat to make their mark.

Clive Brincat was available again to provide the one change to Marsaxlokk’s starting line-up as he partnered Rumen Galabov, pushing Emil Yantchev out of the starting XI.

Sliema, occasionally catching the eye with some attractive passing of the ball, lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Having said that, in the 14th minute, Bajada delighted the fans with some deft footwork as he evaded the Marsaxlokk defence before playing the ball in for Obinna Obiefule but the striker’s shot was saved by Reuben Gauci.

The pace of Trevor Templeman was Marsaxlokk’s principal threat as he rounded off Mark Scerri three minutes later but dragged his effort wide off the target.

However, after a bright start the game deteriorated and became more physical. In particular, Ciantar spent a large chunk of the first half on the sidelines, following an aerial challenge with Malcolm Licari and, inevitably, Marlow had to introduce Clayton Failla, who was sitting on the bench for the first time after a long-term injury.

Marsaxlokk’s gameplan was to keep their opponents to speculative shots from the distance with Gauci doing well to stop a Jackson Lima piledriver after 26 minutes.

Then, five minutes before half-time, goalkeeper Ini Etim Aktpan palmed away Malcolm Licari’s cross from the right but the ball fell to Ruben Gravata Guereiro who coolly slotted in from close range.

The goal was the last significant action of the first half but Sliema responded by upping the pace after the restart and were rewarded with an equaliser inside five minutes.

Lima met a cross by Failla and fired in a shot that Gauci should have held but instead let the ball slip through his gloves.

Marsaxlokk surged forward in attack with Dylan Kokavessis firing in a 20-metre shot that was tipped over the bar by Aktpan. Another effort by Gareth Sciberras forced a fine save from the Sliema keeper.

The Southseasiders burst into life in the dying minutes and created good chances in quick succession.

Effiong was next to be denied by Aktpan following a header that was turned over the bar.

And the Blues’ keeper came to his side’s rescue in stoppage time when he parried Licari’s attempt as Sliema held on to take home a precious point.

Sliema Wanderers
I. Etim Aktpan-6, J. Mifsud-6.5, S. Tidiane Souare-6, M. Scerri-5.5 (60 N. Turner-5), J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5, M. Ciantar-5 (41 C. Failla-6), S. Bezzina-5.5, J. Lima Sequeira-6, O. Obiefule-5, R. Bajada-6, B. Muscat-6.5 (81 A. Spiteri).

Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-5, C. Mamo-6.5, G. Sciberras-6, M. Deanov-7, M. Licari-6, A. Effiong-5, C. Brincat-6, R. Galabov-6.5, T. Templeman-6.5, D. Kokavessis-6 (61 P. Pullicino-5), R. Gravata Guereiro-6 (73 J. Alcorse).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Ciantar; Brincat; Mifsud; Pullicino.

BOV player of the match: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk).