Sliema Wanderers 3
Bocar 40, 52; Scerri 47;
Zebbug Rangers 2
Camilleri 20; Mintoff 60og;

Six points separated Sliema and Zebbug but both were in dire need of a win after slumping to back-to-back defeats.

Given the gap between the two contestants yesterday, this could hardly be described as a relegation showdown but the threat of demotion hung over this encounter, defining the efforts of both sides who tore into each other from the off.

Alfonso Greco, the Zebbug coach, was facing his former team and his troops tried hard to replicate their second-round win over Sliema but this time their efforts fell short.

Despite missing a host of key players, the Blues delivered a resolute performance with Mark Scerri providing steel in midfield, Andrea Pisanu spraying passes and dangerous free-kicks and the lively Djumo Bocar weighing with two well-taken goals.

Sliema’s occasional lapses in defence kept Rangers in the game but the Wanderers clearly carried the great ammunition and deserved the three points.

Aidan Friggieri, deputising for the suspended Michael Mifsud, and Bocar played off Mateus in attack with veteran Pisanu patrolling the central area in front of defence in a 4-1-4-1 approach.

Mifsud was not the only Sliema player ruled out with suspension as Pedrinho and Trevor Cilia were also serving bans.

Greco handed a first-team recall to goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia who was preferred to Manuel Bartolo.

The tactical module chosen by Greco was 4-2-3-1 with Luke Montebello at the front and the attacking quarter of Matias Muchardi, Rashid Yussuff and Carlo Monti looking to run into dangerous positions

As the minutes rolled by, Sliema began to assert themselves. On 18 minutes, Bocar sped into the box but his cross towards the far post found no takers.

But, two minutes later, Zebbug struck. Monti was the provider as his free-kick drifted into the box and Yessous Camilleri made the most of the lax marking by Sliema as he nodded the ball home.

Camilleri’s goal coming against the run of play invariably jolted Sliema’s rhythm. They went close to an equaliser on 33 minutes but Farrugia turned Pisanu’s free-kick around the near post.

The Zebbug goalkeeper continued to vindicate his inclusion in the team with saves from Bocar, from the distance, and Friggieri’s follow-on effort.

Nine minutes from half-time, Farrugia blocked Scerri’s drive as Sliema applied more pressure on Rangers’ rearguard.

It was all square five minutes from half-time, Bocar scoring with an overhead kick after Pisanu’s free-kick had been deflected into the Portuguese forward’s path. As Bocar leapt into the air, his extended foot hit Camilleri in the head but the goal stood.

The second half had just started when Sliema put their noses ahead. Zebbug stood off as Mateus bore down on goal through the middle before slipping a through-pass to Scerri who dispatched his shot past Farrugia.

The force was with Sliema now. They extended their lead on 52 minutes, Bocar directing a downward header past Farrugia after getting on the end of another Pisanu cross.

Mateus then headed wide from Pisanu’s corner but Rangers hauled themselves back into contention when John Mintoff diverted the ball into his own net after Sliema had failed to clear Matthew Bartolo’s long throw-in.

Pisanu nearly restored Sliema’s two-goal lead but his free-kick landed wide. The game opened up as the two teams pushed forward in search of a goal.

Yussuff had a great chance to make it 3-3 but his header, from Jacob Borg’s assist, was too central to trouble Zammit.

At the other end, Mateus mustered a fine shot that was slightly off target before Farrugia beat away Friggieri’s effort.

There was a scare for Sliema as Monti accelerated towards goal but Zammit dashed off his line to close down the Zebbug playmaker.

In stoppage time, Mateus should have sealed it for Sliema as he raced clear on the counter but drifted too wide after rounding the goalkeeper.

Sliema Wanderers: G. Zammit-6, A. Muscat-6, A. Scozzese-6.5, Mateus-6.5, J. Mintoff-5 (88 L. Martinelli), M. Scerri-7, A. Pisanu-7, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, M. Potezica-5.5, A. Friggieri-6 (90 J. Borg), D. Bocar-7 (90 J. Obagbemiro).

Zebbug Rangers: J. Farrugia-6.5, Y. Camilleri-5, J. Borg-5, T. Paris-5, R. Yussuff-5 (82 M. Ciantar), M. Bartolo-6, D.A. Reano-5, P. Barbetti-5, L. Montebello-5, C. Monti-6, M. Muchardi-5 (58 M. Britto-5).

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Scerri; Mateus; Barbetti; Muchardi; Camilleri; Potezica; Paris; Bocar; Britto.

BOV player of the match: Djumo Bocar (Sliema).

Attendance: 350.

Standings