No dream start for Stefan Sultana

Ħamrun Spartans 1 Sliema Wanderers 1

Ħamrun Spartans failed to provide new coach Stefan Sultana a dream start as they were held in 1-1 draw by Sliema Wanderers.

The opening 10 minutes were short of goalmouth action as the Wanderers, wearing yellow kits, easily withheld the Spartans' efforts. That was until the 17th minute, when Galabov sent Spiteri crashing to end the Spartans' first serious venture towards the Wanderers penalty area. Grima exacted a delightful left-foot strike that bent viciously away from Henry Bonello's despairing dive.

The Wanderers threatened shortly after, but Scerri flicked his shot straight into Borg's grasp from a long distance. In the 39th minute, Lattes delivered a delicious ball to the far post which Eyenga managed to head in the direction of Fenech but Borg blocked it to prevent the former Spartans midfielder from a goal-scoring opportunity.

Three minutes later, Fenech looked out of sorts after Eyenga raced beyond Calabretta from the left flank and served him up with a good chance which the midfielder fumbled when he was in an ideal scoring position.

Just before the hour, Sliema were rewarded for their quiet authority when Fenech squared to Alex Muscat who showed quick feet to work his way into a shooting position before he despatched a low drive past Borg.

On the other side, Shields was proving a handful, setting up the first clear-cut opportunity for the Spartans after the break in the 63rd minute. The Scottish striker swivelled to fire goalwards at point-blank range but Bonello somehow kept the ball out and the striker was thwarted again on the rebound.

Ten minutes later, the Ħamrun striker sent a stinging shot over the Sliema crossbar after the rearguard had only half cleared Sammut's cross.

In the 77th minute, Lattes raced clear down the left but with Eyenga screaming for the ball to be played into the box, the Argentine winger went alone and shot into the goalkeeper.

Jeremiah Ani made his entrance with seven minutes remaining replacing Eyenga and he made an impact inside five minutes when he had a clear opening from Cilia's delivery but his usual composure in front of goal deserted him and dragged his effort just wide.