Sliema Wanderers 1
Woods 35;
Floriana 1
Alhinho 31;
An encounter between England and Italy is always going to attract considerable interest among the local football community, given the notorious interest between fans of the Three Lions and the other who identify themselves with the Azzurri.
And this year’s old firm clash between Sliema Wanderers and Floriana is tinged with this particular local football rivalry.
Former England defender Mark Wright made his debut on the Floriana bench against a Sliema side now under the charge of new Italian coach Alfonso Greco.
Despite the vastly different football schools, the two sides are linked with an element of unknown quantity as both are beginning a new life under a new coach who are still constructing their squad. So, this match looked a tricky start for both sides
A draw in the opening game does neither of these sides too much harm and might do both of them the power of good.
Both Floriana and Sliema could find reasons to feel cheerful, Floriana for the way they performed, Sliema for the way they reacted.
The result may ultimately matter little, with both sides displaying enough to suggest they could do well this season.
There was an element of fatigue in the first disjointed half an hour.
And in the 33rd minute, Henry Bonello made a difficult save to push Valdo Alhinho’s free-kick over the bar.
Almost soon after Alhinho gave Floriana the lead.
Christian Caruana’s run and perfectly-weighted cross from the left found the Portuguese unmarked in the box and he headed past Bonello.
The Wanderers had already created little chances in the opening exchanges but their reaction was swift. Alex Muscat adjusted the ball on the right flank before he unleashed a powerful ball which goalkeeper Jurgen Borg did well to block his effort.
From the ensuing corner, the former Floriana player-coach Ivan Woods met an inswinging cross from Pablo Gonzalez and powerfully headed past Jurgen Borg into the roof of the net.
This had become an enthralling, open, almost wild game. In fact, Woods rattled the bar with a vicious free-kick, two minutes from the break.
However, the interval disrupted that breath taking pace of play but both teams still created enough chances to win the match.
Christian Caruana was peeling out from the middle into wide areas, particularly the left, trying to evade the attentions of the Sliema defenders.
Involved in most of Floriana’s best moments, the nippy midfielder who with a clever, nimble turn set up Ryan Darmanin but the latter’ shot rolled wide after 55 minutes.
Two minutes later, Darmanin combined with Alinho but his final shot was ultimately easy for Bonello.
In the 74th minute, Gonzalez had Sliema’s clearest opportunity in the second half.
Muscat , having robbed substitute Trevor Cilia, he then slowed up and allowed Thomas Paris to catch him, before he shot straight at Borg’s hands. The ball fell into the path of Alinho who erroneously served the Argentine midfielder who fired well off target.
Floriana, too had their chances late on. The best of them fell to Alinho when Bonello pushed away a last-gasp free-kick to deny them.
Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-6.5, J. Mintoff-5, B. Timotic-6, J. Mifsud-6, L. Martinelli-5. M. Muchardi-5, B. Muscat-5, P. Gonzalez-6 (77 O. El Ghaouti-4), A. Muscat-6.5 ( 85 D. Fenech), I. Woods-7, M. Ciantar-5 (69 A. Decesare-4).
Floriana
J. Borg-6, T. Paris-5.5 (78 S. Borg), T. Farrugia-6, O. Bugeja-6, K. Farrugia-5, B. Farrugia-5, V. Alhinho-7, C. Borg-6 (68 T. Cilia-4), D. Pisani-5, C. Caruana-8, R. Darmanin-6.
Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: B. Farrugia, Mintoff, T. Farrugia, C. Borg, Caruana, Muchardi, B.Muscat.
BOV player of the match: Valdo Alhinho (Floriana).
Attendance: 969.
Next fixtures
Today: (National Stadium) 6.30 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Balzan; 8.30 p.m. Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows.
Tomorrow: (Hibs Stadium) 6.30 p.m. Hibernians vs Mosta; 8.30 p.m. Birkirkara vs Melita.