SLIEMA WANDERERS 3; ST ANDREWS 1

Sliema Wanderers moved up a gear when it mattered to register a cantering, if not emphatic win over relegation-bound St Andrews. The latter’s fate would be sealed if Naxxar Lions beat Qormi in today’s basement clash.

This match could have been considered as a dress rehearsal for their FA Trophy quarter-final clash, a chance for both teams to test their direct opponents. And this result should go some way towards boosting the confidence in the Sliema team ahead of Tuesday’s match.

St Andrews were without the guidance of Josè Borg who was hit with a 10-match touchline ban for remarks he passed towards referee Malcolm Spiteri.

There was nothing of note in the opening quarter, expected for a shot by Farrugia which finished wide. Then Marko Potezica, put through by Bezzina, shot straight at Jake Galea’s hands when ideally placed. Moments later, Priso finished another move which a low shot which spun off the foot of the upright after deflected by Bong Won Che.

Play remained mostly confined inside St Andrews’ territory. Past the half hour mark, the mobile Farrugia took advantage of some hesitant defending as he pounced on a loose ball by Che to rifle the ball home.

After 39 minutes, Sebastian Perdomo cutely side-stepped a defender on the edge of the box before unleashing a rising shot into the top corner.

St. Andrews’ cup of woe was sealed three minutes from half-time when Michael Johnson was given the marching order for a second bookable offence.

Encouraged by this momentum, the Saints dealt the Blues a cold shower through substitute Oseghale. Cuestra fashioned a long-range venomous shot that was deflected into the path of the Nigerian who scored with a low drive.

St Andrews somehow eased their guard on the Blues’ striking force with a tragic outcome. In the 74th minute, Priso burst past two defenders and deposit the ball into the net.