Marsaxlokk fight back to stun Sliema Wanderers and regain top spot

MARSAXLOKK 2

Aguirre 60, De Aguiar 77

SLIEMA 1

Magri Overend 15

MARSAXLOKK

M. Calleja Cremona, K. Micallef, N. Muscat, Y.Messias, J.Corbalan J. Ailton, J.Arias Ulises, L. Lopez Dessypris, A. De Aguiar, L. Aguirre, R. Scicluna (82 E. Pena Beltre).

SLIEMA

K. Agu Emeka, J. Borg, A. Magri Overand (73 N. Frendo), V. Plut (72 K. Nwoko), M. Beerman, G. Alcino, H. Freire (80 S. Kone), G. Acheampong, S. Zibo, S. Pisani (88 A. Barbosa), M. Award (72 M. Priadun).

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Freire, Kone,  

A galvanised Marsaxlokk came from behind to shock leaders Sliema Wanderers and go top of the Closing Round Top Six.

The Wanderers looked on their way to extending their impressive five-match winning run when Leandro Aguirre’s own goal put them ahead.

But the match turned on its head after the break as Marsaxlokk overturned the match in their favour as goals from Aguirre and De Aguiar giving them a crucial win that lifted them to the top of the standings.

Marsaxlokk began with purpose, twice threatening the Sliema goal early on with Alex De Aguiar.

Marsaxlokk were full of huff and puff, but their direct style did not create enough real openings to get the goal they needed.

Dodo, in particular, looked threatening down the right and from his through ball, De Aguiar hit a low drive which was turned around the post by Kelvin Agu.

At the other end, Matthew Calleja Cremona had little to do until the calamitous error on 15 minutes by Leonardo Aguirre.

There looked little danger when Adam Magri Overand swung over a low cross which was just too far away from the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper. Yet, the ball took a wicked deflection off the Argentine defender and wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

That allowed Sliema to gain a foothold in the game, but they were unable to seriously test Calleja Cremona, the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper.

Instead, they gave away a succession of flag-kicks to allow Marsaxlokk to dominate the first half.

Sliema tried to get going up front after the break and Mohamed Awad should have forced a better save from Calleja Cremona after embarking on a solo run on the right flank.

Henrique Freire fouled De Aguiar to end Marsaxlokk’s first serious venture towards the Sliema’s penalty area in the second half.

 The freekick was awarded in perfect Aguirre territory and the Argentine hit a delightful left foot strike that flew past a hapless Agu.

With 15 minutes of the second half remaining, Sliema coach Paul Zammit began to think about making changes, bringing in Kyrian Nwoko and Maksym Priadun in lieu of Plut and Award.

But a defensive error by Sliema gifted Marsaxlokk their lead.

De Aguiar gambled on a hopeful cross by Lucas Lopez Dessypris from the halfway line, Sliema failed to clear their lines and the Brazilian striker looped a header over Agu.

At death, Simon Zibo swung a dangerous low cross from the right end as Nwoko diverted the ball against the foot of the post.