Nigerian striker Stanley Ohawuchi was once again the hero for Sliema Wanderers as he scored the all-important goal in a narrow win over Old Firm rivals Floriana. A win which puts the Blues temporarily in second place, four points behind leaders Hibernians.
For the Greens, this was the third defeat in six matches, therefore remaining second from bottom on one point after starting the season with a six-point deduction.
Floriana lacked Sacha Borg, Sunday Eboh and Daniel Bogdanovic while Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was missing for Sliema.
The Wanderers managed to take the lead on the 19th minute when Stanley Ohawuchi exchanged the ball with Abubakar Bello-Osagie with the latter intelligently flicking the ball for Ohawuchi whose fine first-time effort gave Daniel Hanford no chance.
Three minutes inthe second half, the Wanderers went close to doubling the score with a goal-bound header by Abubakar Bello-Osagie after Hanford handled the ball badly but Christian Caruana came to the rescue clearing the ball off the goal-line. On the 53rd, Ohawuchi’s curved shot from the left hit the upright with the Floriana goalkeeper beaten.
The Greens replied with an Igor Coronado solo effort concluded with a low shot which was neutralised by Henry Bonello on 59 minutes. Three minutes from time, an Ivan Woods freekick was deflected into a corner by substitute goalkeeeper Sean Mintoff.
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FLORIANA Daniel Hanford (86′ Sean Mintoff), Andre Scicluna, Emmanuel Ibok Edet, Gary Roberts, Christian Caruana (70′ Luca Casha), Igor Coronado, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Joseph Borg, Brooke Farrugia (86′ Diogo Pinheiro de Sousa), Gary Muir.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Emerson Bonello, Jonathan Xerri, Francesco Guzman, Isaac Galea.
Coach: Ian DawesSLIEMA Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri (30′ Ivan Woods), Stanley Ohawuchi (76′ Trevor Cilia), Abubakar Bello-Osagie (70′ Pape Gueye), Paltemio Barbetti, Matias Muchardi, Beppe Muscat, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Axl Xuereb, Dylan Borg, Gabriel Aquilina.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Albert Borg Cardona
Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Fyodor Zammit
Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri
Yellow Cards: Edet, B. Muscat, G. Roberts, J. Mintoff, A. Scicluna, I. Woods
Scorers: 19′ Stanley Ohawuchi
BOV Player of the Match: Stanley Ohawuchi
Attendance at the National Stadium: