Wanderers register fourth win

Sliema Wanderers registered a fourth win as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 3-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday. A win which puts them on level points with Balzan.

For Tarxien, this was the third defeat in five matches, leaving them joint-fifth from bottom on six points.

Sliema had two changes from the team which defeated St. Andrews as Kurt Shaw and Edmond Agius replaced Matias Mucciardi and Claudio Pani. Ryan Fenech was once again ruled out through suspension.

On the other hand, Tarxien coach Jose Borg named an unchanged line-up following last week’s 2-1 win over Hamrun.

The Wanderers had an excellent opportunity to take the lead on the 8th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area but Frank Temile’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by Andrea Cassar.

On the 31st minute, Sliema were awarded another penalty when Jefferson de Assis was brought down inside the area.

Tarxien equalised on the 63rd minute thanks to Jens Wemmer whose powerful drive, deflected by Bianciardi, beat goalkeeper Jake Galea.

The Wanderers regained the lead on the 78th when off a cross by Nii Nortey Ashong from the left, Michele Sansone’s first time effort gave Andrea Cassar no chance.

Two minutes later, in a counter attack for Sliema, Jefferson de Assis served Younes Marzouk from the right and the latter slotted past the Tarxien custodian.

SLIEMA Jake Galea, Kurt Shaw, Jefferson de Assis, Nii Nortey Ashong, Frank Temile (55’ Younes Marzouk), Michele Sansone, Peter Xuereb (85’ Stefan Cassar), Edmond Agius, Goran Adamovic, Jean Paul Farrugia (78’ Kilian Amehi), Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Jonathan Pearson, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Stefan Cassar.
Coach: John Buttigieg
Asst. Coach: Ivan Woods

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Jens Wemmer (89’ Matthew Spiteri), Radu Rogac, Daniel Zerafa, Michele Paolucci, Gabriel Aquilina (85’ Miguel Ciantar), Darren Falzon, Andre Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic (63’ Ricardo Silva Faria), Anderson de Barros, Alex Nilsson.
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Matthew Brincat, Andrew Agius, Luke Grech.
Coach: Jose Borg
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono Grech

Referee: Matthew Degabriele
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Slobodan Petrovic
Yellow Cards: Falzon, Sansone, Cassar, Radovanovic, Jefferson
Red Cards: 45′ Paolucci
BOV Player of the Match: Jefferson de Assis