Jorge Santos hands Sliema first win

Sliema Wanderers registered their first win as they beat Mqabba 2-0, courtesy of a Jorge Santos Silva brace.

Mqabba, on the other hand, were suffering their second defeat despite an encouraging performance.

Serbian striker Bojan Mamic was making his debut for Mqabba while for Sliema, Jerry Ani and Timmy Thomas made their first appearance for the Blues when they were included as substitutes. Mark Scerri was missing for Sliema as he was serving a one-match ban.

The Wanderers had the first shot at goal on the 10th minute with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza having a shot from outside the area ending high. Three minutes later, Mazzitelli had a close range effort turned into a corner by Bonello.

Sliema took the lead on 13 minutes when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza concluded a good run on the left flank with a diagonal shot and Jorge Santos Silva hit home from close range.

Mazzitelli went close once again for Mqabba with a low shot after concluding a solo effort but Bonello neutralised his attempt on 28 minutes. A minute later, Kris Calleja blocked an effort by Jorge Santos Silva.

Twelve minutes in the second half, Mitev served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza whose shot was parried by Kris Calleja. Calleja was then prominent on 68 minutes with a fine interception on Danial Mitev after Roderick Bajada sent him through and the Bulgarian striker advanced all alone on the left flank.

Sliema doubled the score on 74 minutes when Roderick Bajada served Jorge Santos Silva on the right and the latter managed to beat the Mqabba goalkeeper with a shot half-height.

Jorge Santos Silva was voted BOV Player of the Match.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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MQABBA Kris Calleja, Pierre Grima, Marko Potezica, Andrew Scicluna, Branislav Timotic, David Azzopardi (83’ Ryan Sammut), Thiago dos Santos Mazzitelli, Claudio Calleja (69’ Shawn Magro), Mauro Bonnici (75’ James Paris), Clayton Micallef, Bojan Mamic.
Subs not used: Franklin Azzopardi, Mark Anthony Psaila, John Paul Muscat, Rene Duca.
Coach: Clive Mizzi
Assistant Coach: Renzo Kerr-Cumbo

SLIEMA Henry Bonello, Josef Mifsud, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (82’ Jeremiah Ani), Danial Mitev, Steve Bezzina, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Jackson Lima Sequeira, Roderick Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva (91’ Timothy Thomas), Cleavon Frendo (61’ Ryan Grech), Beppe Muscat.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Glenn Chircop, Julian Briffa, Ryan Dalli.
Coach: Danilo Doncic
Assistant Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Roberto Vella
Fourth official: Kevin Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Potezica, Micallef, Gatt Baldacchino, Scicluna
Scorers: 13’ Jorge Santos Silva, 74′ Jorge Santos Silva

In the second match, Qormi scored two late goals to register a comfortable 3-0 win over Balzan Youths.

Stephen Azzopardi’s side had an edge over their opponents throughout the ninety minutes but they only made sure of the three points with two late goals.

Both sides had a player making his debut – Kenneth Scicluna with Qormi and Miguel Ciantar with Balzan.

Balzan Youths had the first attempt at goal with Pedro Dos Santos Calcado testing Matthew Farrugia with a direct freekick which was turned into a corner by the Qormi custodian on the 9th.

Qormi replied with shots by Jonathan Bondin and Jorge Pereira Da Silva ending just wide.

Four minutes in the second half, Qormi managed to break the deadlock thanks to a direct freekick by Joseph Farrugia from the left which gave goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri no chance.

Balzan were reduced to ten men on 52 minutes after Pedro Dos Santos Calcado received a second yellow card for pushing an opponent.

Jorge Pereira da Silva then gained the ball on the right flank and tested Matthew Camilleri with a shot half-height on 58 minutes. The Qormi custodian then performed another fine save on a powerful shot by substitute Abubakar Bello-Osagie on 79 minutes.

On the 90th, Jorge Pereira da Silva beat Camilleri with a powerful shot from the left which hit the upright before ending at the back of the net.

Two minutes in added time, Qormi added another as Joseph Chetcuti served Joseph Farrugia on the left and the latter’s fine rising shot beat the Balzan goalkeeper.

Joseph Farrugia was voted BOV Player of the Match.

Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com

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QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Roderick Sammut (44’ Dino Cachia), Matthew Bartolo, George Chircop, Joseph Chetcuti, Joseph Farrugia, Christos Karamanolis (21’ Stephen Wellman), Kenneth Scicluna, Jonathan Bondin (72’ Abubakar Bello-Osagie), Jorge Pereira Da Silva.
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Charlon Sammut, Luke Sciberras, Steve Agius.
Coach: Stephen Azzopardi
Technical Advisor: Steve D’Amato

BALZAN Matthew Camilleri, Clifton Ciantar, Rennie Forace, Bledjon Guga (13’ Jonathan Francica), Yessous Camilleri, Nikola Tasic, Dylan Grima, Miguel Ciantar (64’ David Fenech), Lydon Micallef, Pedro Dos Santos Calcado, Daniel Sibalin (57’ Silvan Ciscaldi).
Subs not used: Fredrick Tabone, Roderick Farrugia, Michael Borg, Bjorn Bondin.
Coach: Joe Borg
Assistant Coach: Robert Agius

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant referees: Alan Camilleri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Y. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, Pedrinho, J. Bondin, D. Sibalin, J. Francica, C. Ciantar, G. Chircop
Red Cards: 52’ Pedrinho
Scorers: 49’ Joseph Farrugia, 90’ Jorge Pereira da Silva, 90+2’ Joseph Farrugia
Attendance: 1,065