Match day 24 – closing round
Sliema W……..0
Marsaxlokk…..1
Marsaxlokk secured a narrow victory over Sliema Wanderers, earning three crucial points to maintain their position near the top of the league standings. Meanwhile, this result pushed the Wanderers further down the table.
In the first half, in the eighth minute (8’), Beerman of Sliema Wanderers delivered a well-placed ball into the Marsaxlokk box, but the defenders cleared it away. In the tenth minute (10’), Beerman again sent in a cross from the left, but Awad failed to control it on the first touch. He then passed it back to Magri Overend, who took a shot, but Marsaxlokk’s captain, Scicluna, blocked the attempt.
In the sixteenth minute (16’), Zibo of Sliema committed a foul against Corbalan and was shown a yellow card by referee Farrugia Cann. Two minutes later, Frendo of Sliema tried his luck from long range, but goalkeeper Marchetti was alert and saved comfortably.
In the twenty-first minute (21’), another chance for Sliema saw Acheampong deliver a cross towards Matos da Silva, but the latter failed to connect. Two minutes later (23’), Acheampong attempted to take advantage of the wind and struck from a distance, but the ball went wide.
In the twenty-eighth minute (28’), Sliema continued to press with a long ball towards Plut, but Marchetti was quick off his line to intercept. In the thirty-sixth minute (36’), Adamec of Marsaxlokk struck powerfully from the edge of the box, but goalkeeper Emeka made a solid save.
In the thirty-eighth minute (38’), Marsaxlokk’s Arias received a yellow card after committing a foul. A minute later (39’), Sliema were awarded a free kick, taken by Matos da Silva, which Marchetti punched away. Two minutes before the end of regulation time (43’), another opportunity for Sliema saw Beerman cross from the left, with Magri Overend meeting it with a header, but Marchetti gathered the ball safely.
In stoppage time of the first half (45+’), Marsaxlokk launched a promising attack through Arias, who set up Messias inside the box. Messias took a shot, but it narrowly missed the target.
At the start of the second half, Gomes of Marsaxlokk capitalised on a defensive mistake by Sliema and attempted a shot, but Emeka was once again alert and saved with ease. In the forty-seventh minute (47’), Acheampong of Sliema delivered a cross from the right, but none of his teammates managed to reach it.
In the fifty-sixth minute (56’), Marsaxlokk were awarded a free kick, and Messias attempted a shot from distance, but it went just over the crossbar. A minute later (57’), Marsaxlokk’s coach, Vincenzo Potenza, made his first substitution, bringing on Muscat in place of Adamec.
In the sixty-first minute (61’), Soares of Marsaxlokk provided a good pass to Gomes, who took a well-angled shot that went just wide. In the sixty-seventh minute (67’), Sliema Wanderers’ coach, Paul Żammit, made a double substitution, introducing Pisani and Priadun for Zibo and Awad, respectively.
In the sixty-ninth minute (69’), Magri Overend committed a foul on Scicluna and was shown a yellow card for Sliema Wanderers. Three minutes later (72’), Pena Beltre of Marsaxlokk was booked.
In the seventy-fifth minute (75’), Beerman of Sliema missed a great chance as he shot from close range, but Marchetti made a crucial save. In the eightieth minute (80’), Muscat of Marsaxlokk attempted a shot from long range, but the ball went over the bar. A minute later (81’), Marsaxlokk made their second substitution, with Bonnici replacing Pena Beltre.
Two minutes later (83’), Messias attempted a delicate chip, which went just over the bar. However, in the same minute, Gomes successfully seized possession inside the box and slotted the ball into the net, giving Marsaxlokk the lead.
In the eighty-seventh minute (87’), Marsaxlokk made another substitution, with Kukhianidze coming on for Gomes. A minute later (88’), Sliema Wanderers responded with a double substitution, as Kikabidze and Strickland replaced Magri Overend and Matos da Silva.
Five minutes of added time were played at the end of the match, but the Wanderers failed to find an equaliser, allowing Marsaxlokk to take home all three points.
Man of the Match: Yuri de Jesus Messias (Marsaxlokk)
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Team Line-Ups
Sliema Wanderers: Agu Emeka Kelvin (GK), Birg Jean, Frendo Neil, Magri Overend Adam (69’ YC, 88’ Kikabidze Tedo), Plut Vito (79’ Nwoko Kyrian), Beerman Myles, Alcino Gustavo, Matos da Silva Wescley (88’ Strickland Nicholas), Acheampong Geoffrey Edwin (C), Zibo Simon (16’ YC, 67’ Pisani Steven), Awad Mohamed Abdulahi (67’ Priadun Maksym).
Marsaxlokk: Marchetti Federico (GK), Micallef Karl, Soares Jorge Ailton, De Jesus Messias Yuri, Corbalan Juan Carlos, Arias Jose Ulises (38’ YC), Adamec Martin (57’ Muscat Nikolai), De Aguiar Gomes Alex (87’ Kukhianidze Sergo), Pena Beltre Enmy Manuel (72’ YC, 81’ Bonnici Duane), Aguirre Leandro, Scicluna Ryan (C).
