Sliema Wanderers and Qormi shared the spoils in a goalless draw to earn a point in a drab encounter at the Victor Tedesco Stadium following a change in venue due to the storm which hit the Maltese islands on Monday morning.
The two teams failed to impress after both registered wins in their previous game. Qormi had an edge over their opponents but failed to turn their superiority into goals.
Sliema were unable to field their best formation due to the absence of Beppe Muscat, Alex Muscat, Clayton Failla and Steve Bezzina. Qormi lacked Ben Camilleri and Luke Sciberras.
Qormi held the initiative early in the game, going close on 11 minutes with a header by Kosta Bjedov ending just wide when served by George Mallia. Seven minutes later, a powerful drive by Stefan Giglio just missed the target.
On the other side of the pitch, on 21 minutes, Matthew Farrugia performed a great save on a fierce shot by Obinna Obiefule following an inviting pass by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
Qormi were still the better side after the break but Sliema had a good attempt at goal on 69 minutes with James Paris testing Farrugia with a shot from outside the area. On the other side of the pitch, a cross shot by Jonathan Bondin from the right was parried by Szentpeteri on 75 minutes.
Abubakar Bello-Osagie was voted BOV Player of the Match.
SLIEMA Viktor Szentpeteri, Julian Briffa, Josef Mifsud, Sekou Tidiane Souare, Mark Scerri (45′ Roderick Bajada), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, James Paris (77′ Miguel Ciantar), Jackson Lima Sequeira, Obinna Polycarp Obiefule, John Mintoff.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Aktpan, Mark Hyzler, Ian Scerri, Ryan Dalli, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho.
QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Jason Vandelannoite, Stefan Giglio, Roderick Sammut, Matthew Bartolo (82′ Kang Hojung), Kosta Bjedov, Joseph Farrugia, Abubakar Bello-Osagie, George Mallia (87′ Joseph Chetcuti), Jonathan Bondin (89′ Keith Fenech), Cleavon Frendo.
Subs not used: Matthew Camilleri, Gabriel Buttigieg, Vinicius Da Silva, Michael Borg Olivier.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Joe Camilleri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Mifsud Triganza, Gatt Baldacchino, Jackson Lima, Briffa, Bartolo, Bjedov