Sliema Wanderers 1
Scerri 19;
Żebbuġ Rangers 0

Sliema Wanderers laboured their way to a second successive league victory yesterday as a Mark Scerri first-half goal was enough to see off Żebbuġ Rangers.

It was far from a vintage performance from the Blues. After taking the lead early on, they failed to keep hold of proceedings, handing the initiative to their opponents who enjoyed long spells of possession, especially in the second half.

However, the newly-promoted team failed to make the most of the few chances they created and in the end it was Sliema who left the Ħamrun ground with the three points in their bags.

Victory saw the Blues moving away from the lower places and slightly ease the pressure on coach Alfonso Greco after an indifferent start to the season.

Greco kept faith with the same team that delivered a 2-0 victory over Pietà Hotspurs last week.

Jesmond Zammit, the Żebbuġ coach, recalled Bojan Mamic and Mauricio Britto. Ratko Mandic started on the bench while keeper Fabricio was replaced by Jeffrey Farrugia in Rangers’ goal.

Sliema threatened on 10 minutes when Michael Mifsud ran clear, turned past Jacob Borg but his shot was blocked.

Seven minutes later the woodwork denied Rangers as Britto saw his rising shot smash against the bar after a shot from the edge of the box.

But, it was Sliema who took the lead on 19 minutes when Fabio Mangiacasale released Mark Scerri who beat Farrugia with a firm grounder.

Greco effected his first change on 27 minutes as Guy Gnabouyou was replaced by Filippo Talato.

Chances remained few and far between with Żebbuġ’s response coming on 32 minutes when Carlo Monti’s effort from a free-kick whizzed past the upright.

Rangers improved on the restart and keeper Glenn Zammit was alert to block Mucchardi’s swerving shot from a free-kick.

A few minutes later Britto’s effort was too central to create any danger inside the Sliema box.

Żebbuġ continued to dominate possession but struggled badly to find openings as the Blues did well to protect their slim one-goal lead that ultimately yielded them three useful points and a timely morale booster before the international break.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, L. Martinelli-5.5 (84 I. Meli), J. Mintoff-5.5, M. Scerri-7, M. Mifsud-5, A. Pisanu-5.5 (88 P. Xuereb), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, F. Mangiacasale-6, K. Gnabouyou-4 (27 F. Talato-5), P. Barbetti-6, S. Bianciardi-6.5.

Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Farrugia-6, M. Gauci-5.5 (80 M. Ciantar), C. Gauci-6, J. Diaz Serrano-6, J. Borg-6, M. Mucchardi-5.5, C. Monti-6.5, M. Bartolo-5 (75 R. Mandic), Y. Camilleri-5.5, M. Britto-6.5, B. Mamic-5.5 (65 J. Nwoba-6).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Pisanu, Mifsud, Barbetti, Bartolo, Monti, Mamic, Zammit.

BOV Player of the match: Mark Scerri (Sliema Wanderers).

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