Sliema, St. Andrews share spoils in draw

Sliema Wanderers stay five points clear of St. Andrews following a 1-1 draw at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday.

This draw puts the Blues on level points with Birkirkara on 24 points, although the Stripes have a game in hand.

St. Andrews had one change from the team which defeated St. Andrews as Ziga Kastrevec replaced Godwin Mckay. The Wanderers, on the other hand, had no less than five changes as Giuseppe Sarao, Michele Sansone, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri and Wisdom Salomon replaced Glenn Zammit, Gabriel Aquilina, Matias Muchardi, Ryan Spiteri and Jean Paul Farrugia.

The Saints managed to take the lead on the 10th minute when off a freekick from the right, Michael Johnson headed the ball past the Sliema custodian from close range.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Denni Rocha dos Santos equalised for Sliema with a header from close range following a cross from the right.

However two minutes later, the Blues were reduced to ten men after Peter Xuereb received a second yellow card.

St. Andrews were also reduced to ten men on the 74th minute when Ante Bakmaz was given marching orders by referee Fyodor Zammit.

Three minutes from time, Alex Muscat was also sent off for Sliema for a late tackle on an opponent.

SLIEMA Giuseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Gary Muir, Stefano Bianciardi, Roger de Souza Villas Boas, Wisdom Salomon, Denni Rocha dos Santos, John Mintoff (80′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Mark Scerri, Michele Sansone (83′ Armando dos Santos Tarlazis), Peter Xuereb.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Gabriel Aquilina, Giuseppe Muscat, Ryan Spiteri, Kurt Shaw.
Coach: John Buttigieg

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Dale Camilleri (88′ Godwin Mackay), Bong Won Che, Ante Bakmaz, Ziga Kastrevec (76′ Nenad Belacevic), Karlo Kesinovic, Michael Johnson, Joseph Farrugia, Ivan Edgardo Paz, Kyrian Nwoko (88′ Ryan Darmanin).
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Ryan Sammut, Liam Grech, Jacob Walker.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Denni, Xuereb, Bakmaz, Muir, Beltre, Mckay
Red Cards: 42′ Peter Xuereb, 74′ Ante Bakmaz, 87′ Alex Muscat
BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Edgardo Paz