Naxxar Lions 0
Sliema Wanderers 0
Sliema Wanderers were left frustrated after being denied victory by a resolute Naxxar Lions side that held on for a deserved point despite playing for more than an hour with a man less following a first-half dismissal.
The Wanderers came into the match determined to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Żebbuġ Rangers and their hopes received a significant lift when Naxxar’s Pablo Doffo was ejected on the half hour.
But notwithstanding their numerical advantage, the Wanderers failed to impose themselves as they were thwarted by some bold defending from the Lions who allowed little space for the Sliema forwards to manoeuvre.
Instead, it was Naxxar, inspired by man-of-the-match Gilmar, who had the better scoring opportunities and could have shocked Sliema had they been more clinical in front of goal.
In the end, the stalemate prevailed leaving Sliema seventh on 23 points, five ahead of the Lions in the bottom half of the league standings.
Sliema handed a debut to new signing Pedrinho as skipper Alex Muscat also made his first start since recovering from a serious knee injury. Stefano Bianciardi was also back to replace Andrea Scozzese who was serving a one-match ban.
Naxxar were boosted with the returns of goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi and midfielder Albert Bruce. This time, Luke Pecorella and Victor Bellia were dropped to the bench.
Coach Jesmond Zerafa resisted the temptation of giving new signing Demba Toure his debut as the Senegalese striker was included among the substitutes.
Prior to kick-off, the Naxxar players laid flowers in front of a banner in memory of Chanelle Bezzina, a young Lions supporter who passed away last week.
Sliema created the first chance when Djumo Bocar’s shot was somehow kept out by Azzopardi. From the rebound Bruce anticipated Mark Scerri who had looked set to head the ball inside an empty net.
The match remained evenly balanced until the 28th minute when captain Doffo incurred a second booking for a late tackle.
Zerafa immediately withdrew Terence Vella and roped in David Fenech as he looked to add more cover to Naxxar’s defence.
Nine minutes from the break, Gilmar went close when from a free-kick, his inswinger whizzed past the Sliema upright.
At the other end, it was the turn of Pedrinho to try his luck from a free-kick. His effort was kept out by the diving Azzopardi.
The Lions keeper again distinguished himself 10 minutes into the second half when he showed some fine reflexes to keep out Bocar’s volley.
The Wanderers continued to struggle to break down the Lions’ resistance and on 66 minutes it was Naxxar who almost broke the deadlock when Gilmar connected to Daren Falzon’s corner but his header flashed just wide.
Joseph Borg made his first appearance in a Sliema shirt when he replaced Aidan Friggieri on 67 minutes but there was little to separate the two teams as Zerafa replaced the impressive Gilmar with Toure late on.
Alex Muscat almost scored for Sliema two minutes from time when he was put clear by Andrea Pisanu but he miscued his effort with only Azzopardi to beat.
The Lions had two good chances at the death.
Ibok Edet headed wide from a corner and in stoppage time Glenn Zammit dived full stretch to keep out Angus Buhagiar’s shot.
Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6.5, A. Scicluna-6, I. Edet-7, A. Bruce-7.5, T. Vella-5 (34 D. Fenech-6.5), M. Del Negro-6, Gilmar-7.5 (81 D. Toure), P. Doffo, D. Falzon-6 (88 V. Bellia), A. Buhagiar-6.5, Jorge-6.
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6.5, A. Muscat-6, J. Mintoff-5, M. Scerri-6, A. Pisanu-5, M. Potezica-5, A. Friggieri-5 (67 J. Borg), Pedrinho-6.5 (85 W. Ifeanyi), D. Bocar-6, B. Muscat-5 (29 T. Cilia-6), S. Bianciardi-6.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Yellow cards: Doffo, Scerri, Mintoff, Cilia, Pedrinho, Potezica, Fenech, Jorge.
Red card: Doffo (N) 28.
BOV player of the match: Gilmar (Naxxar Lions).