Marsaxlokk 4
Sliema Wanderers 2

Marsaxlokk all but extinguished Sliema Wanderers' fading hopes of winning the championship after beating them 4-2 at the Hibs Ground yesterday. This victory has propelled the southerners to the top of the standings on 23 points, two ahead of Valletta who have a game in hand.

Aleksandar Madzar was the main protagonist for Marsaxlokk as his first-half brace provided the right tonic for the highly-charged champions who went in for the break 2-0 ahead.

Having notched a brace in Marsaxlokk's 2-1 win over Floriana last week, Madzar extended his scoring run to further vindicate the champions' decision to sign him in mid-season after he was released by Sliema. Yesterday, the rejuvenated striker gained revenge on his former club.

Two defeats on the trot have seriously dented the Wanderers' chances of challenging for the league crown, even though they have to be commended for fighting back from three goals down and coming within a whisker of restoring equilibrium before succumbing to a fourth goal.

Now trailing Marsaxlokk by seven points, Stephen Azzopardi's side clearly face an uphill task to relaunch their championship bid.

Still licking his wounds after the 3-1 setback to Birkirkara, Azzopardi effected a number of changes to his starting XI for this crucial encounter.

Young Henry Bonello was given the onus of guarding goal while Roderick Bajada and Ian Ciantar missed out on selection as did Roderick Briffa who was plagued by a toe injury.

With Brian Said and Branko Nisevic at centre-half and Ian Azzopardi and Jeffrey Chetcuti policing the flanks, the Wanderers looked a sure bet not to leak goals but their resistance was broken as early as the fifth minute.

Argentine Alcorse supplied a low cross towards Madzar who had an easy job planting a low shot past Bonello.

Marsaxlokk may have been somewhat inconsistent in the first two rounds as heavy defeats to Valletta and Hamrun Spartans led many to question the side's credentials to retain the league title. Yet, at full strength, they are a tough nut to crack and the opening exchanges of this match presented ample proof that Brian Talbot's men are still hungry for success.

The return of key players Kevin Sammut, Renato Conceicao and Cleaven Frendo was instrumental for them to have the better of Sliema.

The game was 15 minutes old when Matthew Bartolo floated a cross from the right. Conceicao headed away but Andre Rocha da Silva flashed in with a thundering drive that was repelled by Reuben Debono's outstretched leg.

Ten minutes from half-time, Mark Scerri had time and space on the right flank to line up a stinging shot that was blocked by the sturdy Conceicao.

At the other end, Said did well to clear the ball with a timely tackle but the danger was far from over as Alcorse fired a testing shot that was stopped by Bonello.

Goalmouth action was conspicuous at both ends. Da Silva had a good chance to level matters only for his shot to be stopped by a crowd of blue-shirted players.

Talbot was left fuming as his players missed two golden opportunities in three minutes as the first half was drawing to a close.

Frendo chipped an inch-perfect cross towards the left flank where the unmarked Sammut latched onto the ball but mistimed the shot.

A minute later, Alcorse was at the end of a low cross but with the goal at his mercy, he carelessly concluded wide and the Wanderers escaped unscathed.

A goal was in the air though and in first-half stoppage time, Marsaxlokk struck again.

Frendo was again the mastermind. He crossed towards the far post with Alcorse soaring in the air to head towards goal from close range. Bonello did well to keep the ball out but could only stare in disbelief as Madzar stabbed home from close in.

A double substitution by Azzopardi at the start of the second half altered his tactical formation to 3-4-3 as Alex Muscat was assigned a midfield role instead of defender Azzopardi while Roderick Bajada replaced Sharlon Pace. This move enabled Sliema to dominate their opponents for long stretches even though goalkeeper Debono was never really tested.

With Sliema pressing forward to narrow the gap, Marsaxlokk hit when least expected. On the hour, Frendo again had a say in the goal as he accurately released Alcorse who headed the ball down, shrugged off Said's challenge and calmly placed into the net.

The Wanderers pulled one back on 71 minutes through Muscat who had the better of Debono with a perfect volley from the edge of the penalty area.

The goal spurred Sliema into action and a minute later, Bajada came agonisingly close to getting his side's second goal with a powerful shot that hit the side of the net.

Inside the last quarter, the match came to life as Woods controlled the ball outside the Marsaxlokk box before lashing a wicked low shot that stunned Debono and sailed into the net.

Sliema's hopes soared as from 3-0 down, they now trailed Marsaxlokk by a single goal with more than 15 minutes left. However, they suffered a deadly blow five minutes from time when Alcorse completed his brace with an exquisite shot that beat Bonello hands down and killed the game as a contest.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono-6.5, C. Mamo-7, W. Camenzuli-7, R. Conceicao-7.5, C. Magro-7, K. Sammut-7.5 ('77 P. Pullicino), C. Frendo-8 ('77 M. Barbara), J. Pace-7, J. Alcorse-8, T. Templeman-7, A. Madzar-8 ('63 S. Wellman-5.5).

Sliema: H. Bonello-6, I. Azzopardi-6 ('46 A. Muscat-6.5), B. Said-6.5, B. Nisevic-6.5, M. Scerri-6, A. Rocha Da Silva-6.5 ('68 C. E. Ventura-5.5), M. Bartolo-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6, I. Woods-6.5, O. Anonam-6, S. Pace-6 ('46 R. Bajada-6.5).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Scorers: Madzar 5, 45; Alcorse 60, 85; Muscat 71, Woods 76.

Yellow Cards: Anonam; Nisevic.

BoV Player of the match: Aleksandar Madzar (Marsaxlokk).