Sliema Wanderers moved a step closer to securing their Premier League status after defeating Qormi 4-0 in a match from the Relegation Pool. A win which puts them on the 14-point mark, eight ahead of bottom-placed Vittoriosa Stars.
For the Wanderers, this was the third successive win after that Danilo Doncic had taken over as new coach. On the other hand, for Qormi, this was yet another disappointment after the 2-2 draw with Marsaxlokk in the previous game condemned them to playing in the Relegation Pool.
Qormi lacked Matthew Farrugia, Roderick Sammut and Matthew Bartolo while Alex Muscat and John Mintoff were missing for Sliema.
Following a quiet start for the two teams, Sliema managed to take the lead on 23 minutes when off a good pass by Steve Bezzina, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza beat goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri with a fine shot from the left.
The Wanderers doubled the score on 31 minutes when Roderick Bajada sent Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza through and the latter beat Jason Vandelannoite on the run before hitting past the Qormi goalkeeper.
Six minutes from the end of the first half, Camilleri performed a good save on an Etienne Barbara first time-effort from outside the area.
Three minutes in the second half, Mifsud Triganza went close to increasing the lead for the Wanderers with a good attempt. Qormi replied with a Joseph Farrugia freekick whuich was saved by Szentepeteri on 57 minutes. Five minutes later, a shot by Abubakar Bello-Osagie was tipped into a corner by the Hungarian goalkeeper.
Bello-Osagie concluded a solo effort with a low shot from the edge of the area which was parried by the Sliema goalkeeper on 69 minutes. Five minutes later, a diagonal shot from the left by Jason Vandelannoite just missed the target.
Sliema increased the lead on 75 minutes when off a good run on the left flank, Etienne Barbara served Mark Scerri who flicked the ball home from close range.
Two minutes later, off a Joseph Farrugia corner from the left, a header by George Mallia was blocked by Josef Mifsud.
Five minutes from time, the Wanderers sealed the issue with a fourth goal thanks to a cute lob from the right by Obinna Obiefule which beat goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photos: Copyright © www.fotoincmalta.com
QORMI Matthew Camilleri, Jason Vandelannoite, Stefan Giglio, Christos Karamanolis (46′ Kang Hojung), Keith Fenech (68′ Joseph Chetcuti), Michael Mifsud, Joseph Farrugia, Abubakar Bello-Osagie, Jonathan Bondin, Cleavon Frendo (46′ George Mallia), Josue Souza Santos.
Subs not used: Gian Tonna, Luke Sciberras, Ben Camilleri, Gabriel Buttigieg.
Coach: Stephen Azzopardi
Assistant Coach: Charles Scerri
SLIEMA Viktor Szentpeteri, Julian Briffa, Josef Mifsud, Mark Scerri, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (67′ Chakib Lachkhem), Steve Bezzina, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Jackson Lima Sequeira (85′ Beppe Muscat), Roderick Bajada, Clayton Failla (67′ Obinna Obiefule), Etienne Barbara.
Subs not used: Henry Bonello, Noel Turner, Miguel Ciantar, James Paris.
Coach: Danilo Doncic
Assistant Coach: Joseph Bajada
Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: M. Mifsud, C. Failla, Josue
Scorers: 23′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 31′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 75′ Mark Scerri, 85′ Obinna Obiefule
Attendance: 732