Sliema Wanderers, Marsaxlokk fire blanks in drab encounter

Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk took a point each following a drab goalless draw at the Tedesco Stadium.

The match turned out to be a disappointing affair with scoring chances few and far between and in the end the final stalemate was a fair outcome.

The result has also jolted Sliema’s hopes for a late push for a top-two finish as they now have to hope second-placed Ħamrun Spartans fail to beat Floriana on Wednesday to take the fight till the final day when they face the champions on Sunday.

The Blues, who were under the charge of interim coach Noel Turner following the departure of Paul Zammit, struggled to leave their mark into the match.

It was Marsaxlokk who created the better chances in the first half.

On 13 minutes, Barros Santos hit a firm drive that was well saved by goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi.

The Sliema no.1 was again alert two minutes later when he kept out a head from the same Marsaxlokk forward.

On the half-hour mark, Juan Corbalan hit a firm drive from distance that finished just over.

From then on the match fell into a lull with scoring chances a rarity and we had to wait until the 73rd minute for the next opportunity.

It was Sliema’s best chance when Vito Plut profited from an indecision by Oualid El Hasni to sprint inside the area, turn past Maffoumbi but his shot was cleared off the line by Enrico Pepe.