Terrence Vella, of Naxxar Lions, winning this midfield tussle with Beppe Muscat, of Sliema Wanderers. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar

Naxxar Lions 4
Scicluna 23; Toure 61 pen; Jorge 63; Vella 85 pen;
Sliema Wanderers 3
Pisanu 33 pen; Pedrinho 38; Friggieri 57;

Naxxar Lions are breathing more easily after moving away from the relegation trapdoor.

For a period in the second half, their hopes looked to have suffered another hit as they fell 3-1 behind to Sliema Wanderers.

With Aidan Friggieri moving briskly up front, the Blues were running rings around the lethargic Lions whose abysmal defending was indicative of a team paralysed by the fear of relegation.

But in attack, Naxxar have players who can change the course of a game and so it proved as Gilmar and Jorge burst into life to lift the team from the doldrums.

A double substitution by coach Jesmond Zerafa also paid off for Naxxar as Terence Vella added another dimension to their attack before converting a late penalty that all but extended his club’s top-flight stay by another year.

Andrea Pisanu was back in the frame for Sliema and six minutes into the game his pass reached Friggieri who darted past his marker inside the box only to rifle over the bar.

The early exchanges belonged to the Wanderers but Naxxar fashioned their first chance on 13 minutes. Gilmar’s corner was met by Angus Buhagiar but his header was off target.

While Sliema tried to work their way up the field from the back, Naxxar’s initial strategy was to launch vertical balls towards their speedy forwards.

Midway into the first half, Gilmar’s delivery at the far post was partially cleared but Falzon was on hand to float the ball back into the goalmouth where Andrew Scicluna surprised Glenn Zammit with a header that dropped into the net.

Naxxar were now playing with greater confidence. But, in their next attack Sliema earned themselves a golden opportunity to level matters as they were awarded a penalty after Ryan Gilmour Cassar felled Friggieri in the box.

Pisanu, who is retiring at the end of the season, sent Julian Azzopardi the wrong way.

Naxxar stirred as they sought to reclaim the initiative but their task was further compounded when Sliema went ahead seven minutes from half-time.

The goal came after a classic counter-attack as Zammit punched away Gilmar’s corner and Pisanu passed to Marko Potezica who bombed forward before squaring to Mateus. With Naxxar caught on the back foot, the Brazilian advanced before setting up Pedrinho whose effort from the edge of the box gave Azzopardi no chance.

Early in the second half, Naxxar were again caught flat-footed at the back as Friggieri used his speed to nip behind the dithering defenders but his shot was pawed away by Azzopardi.

‘Wake up reds’ shouted the dispirited Lions fans but it was not long before Sliema punished their opponents’ somnolence.

Pedrinho’s back-heeled pass released Friggieri and he finished the move in style as his curler flashed past the keeper.

Naxxar looked stunned but they fought back.

Ibok Edet’s header came off the post, but, on the hour, the Lions gained a boost. Sliema defender Andrea Scozzese nudged the sprinting Jorge off the ball inside the box and referee Mario Apap duly pointed to the spot. Toure beat Zammit with a powerful shot.

Two minutes later, Naxxar made it 3-3. Gilmar retrieved possession outside the box before supplying a pass to Jorge who anticipated Zammit to steer the ball home.

The force was with Naxxar now. Zammit twice denied Jorge after Sliema had failed to clear substitute Vella’s cross.

Naxxar swarmed forward in numbers. The Blues did have a chance to regain the lead but Mateus’s header was blocked by Azzopardi.

Seven minutes from time, Naxxar’s optimism rose when they were awarded a second penalty after Potezica was adjudged to have tripped Vella in the box.

Vella picked himself up to drill his shot past Azzopardi.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-5, A. Scicluna-5, I. Edet-6.5, D. Toure-5.5 (63 F. Temile-6), D. Falzon-5 (63 T. Vella-6.5), Gilmar-7, R.G. Cassar-5, P. Doffo-5, D. Fenech-6 (82 M. Del Negro), A. Buhagiar-6, Jorge-6.5.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-4, A. Muscat-6, A. Scozzese-6.5, J. Mintoff-5, A. Pisanu-6 (68 T. Cilia-4), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, Mateus-5.5, M. Potezica-6, A. Friggieri-7.5, Pedrinho-7 (81 M. Mifsud), B. Muscat-5 (90 J. Obagbemiro).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Gatt Baldacchino; Buhagiar; Pedrinho; Scozzese; Doffo; A. Muscat.

BOV player of the match: Aidan Friggieri (Sliema Wanderers).