SLIEMA 1 MARSAXLOKK 1
Sliema were held by a resolute Marsaxlokk to leave the Wanderers third-from-bottom.
But it could have been worse for Mark Marlow’s side as the Southseasiders produced a good performance that might have sneaked them a win with more composure in front of goal when presented with three opportunities late on.
Sliema occasionally catching the eye with some attractive passing of the ball lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Having said that, on the 14th minute, Roderick Bajada delighted the Sliema fans with some beautiful footwork on the touchline as he evaded the Marsaxlokk defence before playing the ball in for Obinna Obiefule but the striker’s shot was saved by Ruben Gauci.
The pace of Trevor Templeman was Marsaxlokk’s principal threat as he rounded off Mark Scerri with some neat footwork and persistence, three minutes later but dragged his effort wide off the target.
The Southseasiders’ game plan kept their opponents to long-distance shots with Ruben Gauci saving a brilliant long-range strike from Jackson Lima after 26 minutes.
And the physical nature of the match might have been playing on Ini Etim Akpan’s man went out to challenge Alfred Effiong for an aerial ball instead he palmed Malcolm Licari’s cross from the right into the path of Ruben Gravata Guereiro who coolly slotted in from close-range.
The goal was the last significant action of the half but Sliema responded by upping the tempo after the restart and were rewarded with an equaliser inside five minutes when Jackson Lima Sequeria met a cross by Failla and fired in a shot that Gauci should have held instead he let the ball slip through his gloves.
Marsaxlokk burst to life in the dying minutes and created three good chances in quick succession.
Effiong was next to work the goalkeeper with another header that was turned over the crossbar.
And it was Akpan to the rescue when he chased out of goal to parry Licari’s attempt at the goal as Sliema held on to take home a precious point.