Sliema's Simon Zibo charges forward against Żabbar SP. Photo: Dominic Borg
SLIEMA WANDERERS 2
Borg 10; Zibo 30
ŻABBAR SP 0
SLIEMA WANDERERS
K. Agu, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend, V. Plut, M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Sergio (74 N. Micallef), Wescley C. Attard, S. Zibo, M. Awad (90 U. Hijazi).
ŻABBAR SP
M. Grech, M. Azzopardi (46 I. Davey), M. Ferreira (46 Z. Grech), Wallace, S. Gatt (68 S. Ilic), D. Joao, S. Jovancic, L. Agius (76 J. Micallef), Vinicius, D. Jovicic, M. Barros Santos (83 S. Davey).
Sliema Wanderers were back to winning ways when they eased past newcomers Żabbar St Patrick at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
The Blues needed two goals inside the first half hour to wrap up a points and seal a vital win that brought to an end a frustrating run of two draws and a defeat.
With this win, Sliema have leapgrogged hibernians into third place on 15 points, seven behind run away leaders Birkirkara.
On the other hand, Żabbar, who were under the challenge of new coach Aniello Parisi, never posed a threat and remain bottom of the standings on four points.
Sliema created the first chance after nine minutes when Żabbar goalkeeper Matthew Grech tipped the ball over from a Mohammed Awad free-kick.
From the resultant corner, taken by Awad, Jean Borg was on hand to sent a dipping header into the net.
Awad remained Sliema’s main source of threat and on 14 minutes the nippy forward hit a thumping drive that was pushed away by Grech.
The Wanderers remained on top and they managed to double their lead just past the half hour mark when Plut teed up Simon Zibo on the edge of the area and the powerful midfielder fired his shot past Grech.
On 37 minutes, Sliema were unlucky not to add a third goal when Cain Attard’s cross was met by Wescley but his header came off the bar with Grech beaten.
Three minutes from the break, Grech was again called to action when he tipped over Myles Beerman’s shot.
On the stroke of half-time Żabbar shouted penalty when Sliema’s goalkeeper Kelvin Agu upended striker Marcelo Santos Barros but referee Matthew De Gabriele saw nothing untoward and waved play on.
Sliema remained on top after the break and on 67 minutes Beerman concluded a fine move with a firm drive that just missed the upright.
Żabbar’s hopes were all but ended when Jovancic picked up a second booking and was dismissed to leave his team with ten men.
Sliema substitute Neil Micallef was unlucky not to add a third goal for his side when he won possession and hit a fine curling drive that brought the best out of Grech.
