Sliema Wanderers 4
Bianciardi 29; Cilia 68; Mintoff 73; Woods 81 pen;
Floriana 1
Muir 19;
Sliema Wanderers taught Floriana a lesson in clinical finishing as they plundered four goals to heap more misery on their troubled opponents.
Stefano Bianciardi’s equaliser on the half hour mark was pivotal to Sliema’s success in yesterday’s Old Fird derby, as besides settling his team’s nerves, it knocked off Floriana’s insipid display as the Greens were outfought and outwitted by their superior opponents after the break.
Sliema’s initial formation showed two changes, Mark Scerri being preferred to Beppe Muscat while the returning Clifford Gatt Baldacchino replaced Jacob Borg. Greco also made a last-minute change as Paltemio Barbetti, initially among the substitutes, took the place of Abubaker Bello-Osagie.
For Floriana, Sacha Borg deputised for the injured Steve Pisani while Luca Casha received Ian Dawes’s nod to start ahead of Dylan Kokavessis.
It was all Sliema in the opening minutes with Muchardi often breaking free on the left flank as the Greens struggled to contain the surging runs of the Sliema winger.
A Henry Bonello long punt forward on 18 minutes was headed by Ohawuchi into the path of Admar Vladavic but the Bosnian striker shot straight into Hanford’s hands.
But it was Floriana who drew first blood. The Greens were awarded a free-kick and Gary Muir unleashed a low shot that slid through Bonello’s hands and rolled gently into the net.
Sliema fought back and levelled on 30 minutes.
Bianciardi was on hand to meet Vladavic’s corner as the Italian defender headed powerfully into the net.
Three minutes from half-time, the Blues should taken the lead but Hanford’s point-blank save kept out Alex Muscat’s drive.
There was another scare for the Greens two minutes after the break when Vladavic’s long pass dropped at the feet of Ohawuchi who served Cilia whose dipping shot from the left finished wide.
Sliema’s superior organisation enabled them to establish a foothold in the game.
Past the hour mark, an exquisite one-two between Muchardi and Ohawuchi unlocked the defence as the Argentine’s through-ball released the Nigerian striker who shot straight at Hanford.
Ivan Woods’s introduction yielded instant dividends for the Wanderers as Ohawuchi stormed into the Floriana penalty area before squaring the ball for Woods who was blocked by Sacha Borg. The loose ball up fell to Cilia who beat Hanford with a crisp grounder.
The Blues struck again five minutes later when John Mintoff fended off the attentions of Darrell Baldacchino before poking the ball between the goalkeeper and the woodwork.
Sliema wrapped up the points ten minutes from time when Muir upended Ohawuchi inside the area and Woods duly converted from the spot.
Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-5, A. Muscat-6.5, J. Mintoff-7 (84 A. Xuereb), M. Scerri-6 (63 I. Woods-6.5), S. Ohawuchi-7, P. Barbetti-7, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, T. Cilia-6.5 (76 J. Borg), M. Mu-chardi-6, S. Bianciardi-6.5, A. Vladavic-6.
Floriana
D. Hanford-6.5, A. Scicluna-5, I. Edet-6, I. Coronado-5 (70 R. Emeka), Diogo-5, D. Baldacchino-5, C. Borg-5, L. Casha-5.5 (66 D. Kokavessis-5), B. Farrugia-5.5 (76 J. Borg), G. Muir-5, S. Borg-4.5.
Referee: Glen Tonna.
Yellow cards: Scerri, C. Borg, Farrugia, Mintoff, J. Borg.
BOV player of the match: Stanley Ohawuchi (Sliema Wanderers).