Watch: Sliema take Old Firm honours against rivals Floriana to move up to second

FLORIANA                            0

SLIEMA WANDERERS       2

Awad 64; Plut 70

FLORIANA

C. Mafoumbi; O. El Hasni, J. Grech (70 E. Mashike), Z. Scerri (70 G. Sotomayor), D. Vella, M. Garcia (81 A. Garzia), C. Zammit Lonardelli, G. Gamarra (81 J. Portocarrero), F. Sasere, A. Kouro, J. Gomes.

SLIEMA WANDERERS

K. Agu; J. Borg, A. Magri Overend, V. Plut (78 K. Nwoko), M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Wescley (90 E. Agius), M. Henrique, G. Acheampong, S. Zibo, S. Pisani (35 M. Awad).

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Plut, Acheampong, Fernandinho, Vella. 

In the 291st Old Firm derby, Sliema Wanderers scored twice in the second half to clinch a pivotal victory that propels them into second place of the 360 Sports Malta Premier.

This crucial win narrows the gap to just one point behind league leaders Marsaxlokk, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion with only four league games remaining.

The match began with Sliema displaying early dominance, highlighted by Wescley’s threatening volley from inside the penalty area, narrowly missing the target.

Floriana attempted to respond through Matias Garcia, whose rebound from a free-kick sailed over the crossbar, failing to trouble Sliema’s defence.

Jake Grech also tried his luck from long range, but his effort did not test the goalkeeper.

As the first half progressed, Sliema came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock when a Geoffrey Acheampong cross almost resulted in an own goal, only for Vito Plut’s initial strike to rebound off the post, before being denied by Mafoumbi and then cleared for a corner.

Sliema suffered a setback when captain Steve Pisani had to be substituted due to injury, with Mohamed Awad entering the fray.

Floriana came close to taking the lead, with Gonzalo Gamarra forcing a crucial save from Kelvin Agu, keeping Sliema’s defence intact.

The second half saw Sliema maintain their momentum, pressing forward with Murilo’s goal-bound effort from a corner blocked by Mafoumbi, followed by Awad’s curling shot narrowly missing the target.

Sliema’s persistence paid off just after the hour mark when Awad capitalised on a rebound, lashing the ball into the net after his initial attempt was blocked by Mafoumbi, giving Sliema a deserved lead.

Floriana attempted to rally, making two substitutions to inject fresh attacking impetus, but Sliema quickly dashed their hopes as Vito Plut taking advantage on a long kick from Agu to extend their lead.

In the closing stages, Floriana’s Gabriel Sotomayor squandered a golden opportunity to narrow the deficit, summing up their frustrating second half as Sliema defended resolutely to secure a crucial victory.

With this result, Sliema Wanderers have firmly positioned themselves in the title race, while Floriana faces an uphill battle in their quest for championship contention, now sitting fifth in the standings, three points adrift of the summit.