Sliema Wanderers notched their second win in a row when they beat Sirens. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
SLIEMA WANDERERS 1
Shaw 55
SIRENS 0
SLIEMA WANDERERS
D. Cassar-6.5; J. Morales-7, K. Shaw-7, G. Aquilina-6 (73 Y. Ushida), R. Kisil-6 (73 E. Agius), D. Holla-6 (73 G. Inters), M. Piciollo-7 (88 J. Engerer), O. Bethancourt-7, M. Beerman-6.5, D. Vukovic-6.5, V. Berisha-6.
SIRENS
J. Debono-6; M. Motta-6, K. Reid-6 (86 W. Avoce), B. Gavrila-5, D. Albanese-6, A. Borg-6, J. Walker-6 (75 D. Jackson), M. Lomis-5, C. Zammit Lonardelli-6, A. Cini-5, V. Vieira-6.
BOV Player of the Match Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers).
Sliema Wanderers defender Kurt Shaw was the hero again for the Blues with another match-winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Sirens.
Andrea Pisanu’s side have won their second straight game as they move on the 10-point mark, just two behind relegation rivals Sta Lucia.
The result was a sigh of relief for the Wanderers clan as their hopes of rescuing their top-flight status have been boosted with their latest positive results.
On the other hand, Sirens will feel hard done-by after failing to capitalise on their number of goal scoring chances throughout the 90 minutes. They remain on 22 points as they look to secure a top-six spot ahead of the third and final round of the championship.
For this game, Sirens’ coach Winston Muscat handed a debut to Marios Lomis, the Netherlands-born forward.
Sirens defender Diego Albanese tried to head home from a free-kick but his effort went wide of the Sliema goal, inside the first two minutes.
Nonetheless, it was Sliema who dictated proceedings in the opening stages with Italian winger Matteo Piciollo denied by the crossbar after a splendid volley from inside the penalty area.
However, Sliema could not make their pressure count as Sirens started to inch their way up the field and finish the first half strongly.
Vitor Vieira forced David Cassar into action with a shot from a tight angle before the Sliema goalkeeper diverted a Kemar Reid shot into a corner.
In the closing stages, Sirens had a couple of long-range efforts through Reid and Bogdan Gavrila but both failed to hit the target.
Yet, it was Sliema who forged ahead as they capitalised on the pressure they piled on Sirens in the opening 10 minutes.
Piciollo whipped in a delightful corner on which Kurt Shaw connected to beat Jonathan Debono on the far post.
Marcelino Motta, of Sirens, tried to level terms with a close-range effort but Cassar was alert to avert the danger.
As the half wore on, Sirens upped their ante in search of an equaliser but the Sliema backline proved a tough nut to crack.
A Motta shot sent shivers down Sliema’s spine as it glanced across the face of goal but was not enough for Sirens to salvage at least a point.
