Floriana, Sliema fire blanks as Old Firm derby ends all square

FLORIANA      0

SLIEMA WANDERERS         0

FLORIANA

C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni, J. Grech, K. Reid, Thiaguinho Santos, D. Vella, M. Garcia, F. Sasere, A. Kouros, Fernandinho, G. Yameogo.

SLIEMA

K. Agu, J. Borg, V. Plut, M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Wecsley, C. Attard (76 A. Magri Overend), M. Freire, S. Zibo, S. Pisani (85 Serginho), M. Awad.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Yellow cards: Zibo, Freire, Garcia

No goals were scored in the Old Firm derby as Floriana and Sliema Wanderers shared the spoils in a draw which leaves the Greens one point ahead of the Wanderers.

Sliema had an edge over their opponents throughout the first half and for most of the second half but were unable to penetrate the Floriana rearguard.

The Greens, on the other hand, improved in the second half after being on the receiving end during the first half.

This draw enabled Floriana to extend their unbeaten record to ten matches but they could lose further ground with leaders Birkirkara should the Stripes beat Naxxar on Saturday.

Coaches Darren Abdilla and Paul Zammit both maintained their faith in their starting XI as the Greens were coming from a 3-0 win over Balzan and the Wanderers from a narrow win over champions Ħamrun Spartans.

Sliema had the first attempt at goal with Myles Beerman testing goalkeeper Mafoumbi with a cross shot from the left on four minutes.

One minute later, the Blues went close with a Mohamed Awad effort from inside the area which ended just wide.

The Wanderers held the initiative but the Greens were doing a great job in keeping them at bay.

On the half hour, Wescley threatened with a shot from outside the area which however ended wide.

Seven minutes from half-time, Sliema were unlucky not to take the lead when Steve Pisani hit the upright with a well-taken freekick from the left.

Despite some timid attempts by the Greens, 16 minutes in the second half, Awad served Wescley whose powerful drive just missed the target.

Floriana replied with a good move by Thiaguinho whose conclusion from outside the area was deflected into a corner a minute later.

Another fine effort by Wescley from outside the area on 65 minutes was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi. Five minutes later, Fernandinho exchanged the ball with Dunstan Vella on the left with the Brazilian’s effort from inside the area ending just wide.

The two coaches were very cautious not to change their side’s balance and, while Sliema made just two changes, replacing Attard and Pisani with Magri Overend and Serginho respectively, Darren Abdilla opted not to make any changes as the stalemate prevailed.