Msida St. Joseph vs Sliema Wanderers 1-0 (HT 0-0)
Msida St. Joseph collected three precious points as they registered a shock 1-0 win over Sliema Wanderers. The match was originally scheduled for Sunday at the Hibs Ground but was postponed.
The Blues were a better side during the first half but after the break, Msida showed considerable improvement and after going close to taking the lead, they managed to break the deadlock and from then onwards, they held the initiative to take home three important points.
Missing for Sliema was Clifford Gatt Baldacchino who was ruled out suspended.
The Blues had the first attempt at goal after 9 minutes when a shot from outside the area by Ivan Woods was turned into a corner by Manuel Bartolo. Five minutes later, another conclusion by Woods was blocked and off the rebound, John Mintoff hit wide. Five minutes from the end of the first half, another Ivan Woods effort just missed the target.
Sliema went close once again six minutes in the second half with a shot from the left by Clayton Failla but the Saints replied with a cross by Adam Spiteri from the left, from which Adrian Farrugia’s first-time effort hit the upright.
Msida scored the all-important goal on the hour when off a long pass by Zoran Levnaic, Adam Spiteri headed the ball home past goalkeeper Simon Agius.
This goal shocked the Blues and a good attempt by Miguel Ciantar was blocked by Agius on 67 minutes and off the rebound, the Sliema custodian neutralised an attempt by Adam Spiteri.
Finally, on the 90th, the Wanderers had a good opportunity but off a cross by Turner from the right, Mark Scerri’s weak shot was parried by Manuel Bartolo.
MSIDA Manuel Bartolo, Lydon Micallef, Roderick Baldacchino, Cedric Sciberras, Tyrone Farrugia, Adam Spiteri, Kevin Mifsud, Adrian Farrugia (92′ Iro Curmi), Zoran Levnaic, Emiliano Lattes, Miguel Ciantar (82′ Andrew Formosa).
Subs not used: Daniel Borda, Matthew Borda, Larson Agius, Stefano Grima, Joseph Damato.
Coach: Mark Marlow
Asst. Coach: Keith Gouder
SLIEMA Simon Agius, Alex Muscat (75′ Noel Turner), Ian Azzopardi, Josef Mifsud, Ryan Fenech (82′ Ian Ciantar), Mark Scerri, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Ivan Woods, Lucian Dronca, John Mintoff, Clayton Failla.
Subs not used: Jeremy Alden, Luca Martinelli, Andrew Agius, Jurgen Gauci, Klinsmann Grech.
Coach: Stephen Azzopardi
Team Manager: Rupert Perry
Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Spiteri (M); Scerri, Muscat, Turner (S)
BOV Player of the Match: Zoran Levnaic
Scorers: 60′ Adam Spiteri