Sliema Wanderers 0
Marsaxlokk 0
The much-awaited clash between Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk failed to live up to its billing as the top match of this weekend's programme as the two rivals fought out a disappointing goalless draw.
The match turned out to be a drab affair with both sides clearly short of ideas in front of goal with the result that chances were few and far between.
It was the Wanderers who showed the better fare but still they found it difficult to create any real danger to the Marsaxlokk goal and in the end they had to settle for their second successive goalless draw.
On the other hand, Marsaxlokk were a far cry from the team that came from two goals down and beat Hamrun Spartans 4-2 last Sunday. The only positive note for both teams is the fact that they are still undefeated after four matches, but still a vast improvement is needed if they are to challenge for the honours.
Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi welcomed back in the fray Serbian striker Kosta Bjedov who skipped the match against Floriana due to suspension while Matthew Bartolo was handed a place on the bench as he was deemed not 100 per cent fit. Veteran defenders Jeffrey Chetcuti and Branko Nisevic were named in the starting formation despite missing training this week due to 'flu.
Marsaxlokk were again without Argentine striker Julio Alcorse, Trevor Templeman and Kevin Sammut but Gareth Sciberras was back in the squad and came on after the interval.
Sliema were the better team early on even though their only attempts at goal came from two long range shots that were well off target.
Marsaxlokk looked more focused in playing a waiting game and try to hit their opponents on the counter. But Sliema coped well at the back with lone striker Marcelo Pereira left to fend pretty much on his own.
After five minutes, Pereira found himself clean through on goal but the Brazilian forward was blocked by the alert Henry Bonello, the Sliema goalkeeper.
In the 18th minute, Peter Pullicino sent a dangerous cross into the Sliema area but Pereira failed to make contact with the ball and the chance went begging.
Sliema finally threatened on 21 minutes when Ivan Woods slid the ball into the path of Roderick Briffa and the Malta international's firm drive was well blocked by Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin.
From then on the match lost much of its intensity with both teams failing to create any decent opportunity until Sliema finally came close to take the lead just before the interval.
Midfielder Roderick Bajada had ample time and space to conclude but his shot was excellently blocked by Darmanin.
The early stages of the second half were played under a heavy downpour. Marsaxlokk had a goal disallowed on 52 minutes when Stephen Wellman stabbed the ball into the net after a good choral move but the Marsaxlokk forward was deemed to be in an offside position by referee Adrian Azzopardi.
Sliema tried to lift their game and on the hour mark Bartolo came on for the subdued Danny Saverino and the move seemed to inject some fresh ideas into the Wanderers play.
In fact on 65 minutes they were unlucky not to take the lead when Bjedov saw his shot coming off the post after being set up by Woods.
At the other end, Mark Barbara saw his drive saved by Bonello just seconds later as the match seemed to burst into life. Pereira appealed for a penalty after he went down in the area after a challenge but the referee waved play on despite the heavy protests of Pullicino who was subsequently booked.
Sliema threatened on 72 minutes when Alex Muscat's header just missed the target and the Sliema wing back again came close five minutes from time when his shot flashed past the upright.
Sliemax could have stole the points at the death but Clifton Ciantar fired over from routine distance.
Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-6, I. Azzopardi-7.5, B. Nisevic-5.5 ('63-A. Muscat-6), M. Scerri-5.5, K. Bjedov-6.5, J. Chetcuti-5.5, I. Woods-6, D. Saverino-5 ('58 M. Bartolo), I. Ciantar-6, R. Bajada-5 ('79 C. Ciantar), R. Briffa-6.
Marsaxlokk
S. Darmanin-6, M. Licari-7 ('66 W. Camenzuli), B. Said-6, C. Brincat-6, C. Mamo-6.5, M. Barbara-6, P. Pullicino-7, C. Cassar-6.5 ('89 R. Conceicao), C. Mattocks-6.5 ('58 G. Sciberras), M. Pereira-6.5, S. Wellman-6.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Pullicino, Camenzuli, Briffa.
BoV Player of the match: Ian Azzopardi (Sliema)
The other matches this weekend...
Qormi vs Birkirkara (today 4 p.m., National Stadium).
Birkirkara will be eyeing a third win of the season when they face Qormi this afternoon. Victory over the newly-promoted side could well see the Stripes go top of the standings if Hibs fail to beat Ħamrun later on in the evening.
However, Birkirkara's task will be far from straightforward as they face a Qormi side who last week chalked up their first win of the season when they beat Tarxien 3-0.
Birkirkara coach John Buttigieg has a full squad to choose from as Lee Lombardi recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him from the 2-0 win over Msida.
Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, has no injury problems and is boosted by the return from suspension of midfielder Joseph Chetcuti.
Ħamrun Spartans vs Hibernians (today 6 p.m., National Stadium).
In-form Hibernians will be fancying their chances of prolonging their excellent start to the season when they face struggling Ħamrun.
After a creditable display in the 1-1 draw with Valletta, the Paolites start favourites to overcome a Spartans side still licking their wounds after two defeats to Sliema (0-2) and Marsaxlokk (4-2).
Ħamrun look a far cry from the team that played in the FA Trophy final last season and their capitulation to Marsaxlokk last Sunday, when they squandered a two-goal lead, epitomizes their current abject form.
Hibs are set to be without striker Terrence Scerri who is hampered with back trouble while Jonathan Caruana is in doubt with a knee injury. Striker Alexis Tekumu Mbongo is suspended.
Ħamrun could be without Brazilian defender Alex Noronha who has not practised this week due to a virus while midfielder Ryan Fenech is hampered with a back injury.
Msida SJ vs Floriana (tomorrow 4 p.m., National Stadium).
Msida and Floriana will be seeking to add valuable points to their tallies in tomorrow's opening match.
Last weekend's 2-0 upset to Birkirkara left Msida third from bottom and the Saints are in need of points as they look to move out of the lower end of the standings.
Coach Patrick Curmi will again be without midfielder Dino Cachia who is nursing a groin injury but otherwise Msida will have a full complement with Brazilian Marcos Aurelio again given the onus to unsettle a very solid Floriana defence.
The Greens are the only top-flight team yet to concede a goal, thanks mainly to some classy displays from Serbian goalkeeper Dejan Maksic.
Coach Zoran Popovic has no selection worries but hopes his forwards will find their touch as the team has scored just once in three matches.
Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow 6 p.m., National Stadium).
Champions Valletta should find little difficulty to beat bottom-placed Tarxien Rainbows.
After picking up five points against valid opponents in the shape of Sliema, Marsaxlokk and Hibernians, the Citizens have the opportunity to flex their muscles against a side yet to score a point this season.
Coach Paul Zammit is forced to do without midfielder Cleaven Frendo, down with a thigh injury, but otherwise he has no selection worries.
Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro is facing his toughest match in the Premier League so far without Montenegro defender Ivan Carapic and midfielder Andrew Decesare.
Both saw red in the 3-0 defeat to Qormi last Sunday.
Peace One Day
The Malta FA will be marking Peace One Day tomorrow.
Football, worldwide, stops for a while on this day so that a message of peace can be passed on through to people of every race and religion, all united in football, a Malta FA statement said.
Tomorrow, a message will be read or distributed in all stadia where matches are due to be played and ball boys will make a symbolic walk behind a banner chosen for the occasion.