ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 0

SLIEMA WANDERERS 2
Muchiardi 75, Correa 90

Sliema Wanderers only had to summon their minimum to outsmart a Ħamrun side which rarely, if ever, had a sniff of the opposing goal.

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

The early probing came from Sliema Wanderers but in a sudden foray, John Mintoff scythed down Leandro Wallace to end the Spartans’ first serious venture towards the Sliema penalty area. Wallace picked himself up to curl the ball over the wall but hit the outside of the far post.

The Wanderers went close midway through the opening half when Mark Scerri rounded up an excellent choral move with a scorcher that finished just wide.

A blunder by Ħamrun goalkeeper David Cassar almost gifted Sliema the lead as he dropped the ball to allow Ryan Spiteri to slot the ball into what looked like an unguarded net. The Wanderers midfielder did not kick the ball hard enough, allowing Luis Vergara to get back and clear off the line.

Sliema kept up the tempo after the break and almost on the hour mark, Denni tested Cassar who was well behind the trajectory of the Brazilian’s free-kick.

The woodwork came to Ħamrun’s rescue this time, on the hour mark when Stefano Bianciardi darted in with a flying header to meet Denni’s corner.

The Blues kept hammering away despite an evident lack of punch. On 70 minutes, Denni was again on hand to drive a sizzling shot but Cassar saved stylishly.

Sliema were finally rewarded for their persistence when Frank Temile laid the ball to Mathias Muchiardi who let fly a pulverising drive that went in via the underside of the bar.

Some lovely triangulation down the inside right by Spiteri, Denni and Ricardo Correa worked an opening in the box. Denni tried to power through down the left but was crowded out, so he squared the ball for Correa who trundled the ball for the striker to shoot low past Cassar.