Sliema, Marsaxlokk forced to settle for a point

MARSAXLOKK 1

Mihana 4

SLIEMA WANDERERS 1

Espindola 61

MARSAXLOKK

M. Calleja Cremona, Weder, O. El Hasni, E. Pepe, N. Muscat, R. Linden (73 D. Simkus), JC Corbalan, J. Soares, J. Minala (87 J. Kirby), L. Aguirre, R. Mihana (61 T. Caruana)

SLIEMA WANDERERS

K. Emeka, J. Borg, L. Montebello (90 E. Agius), Wescley (66 A. Magri Overand), D. Djuric, G. Alcino, S. Pisani, M. Awad, T. Espindola, M. Barros (75 V. Plut).

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Yellow card: Minala, Pisani, Aguirre, El Hasni, Prsa, Pepe,

Sliema have fallen short of their best in recent weeks, and it had to be a fine strike from Thiago Espindola that rescued them against Marsaxlokk as it spared them a third successive defeat.

For Marsaxlokk, the final stalemate extended their positive run following back-to-back victories, maintaining early momentum in their bid for a top-six finish.

Marsaxlokk made a strong start and took the lead after just four minutes when Dodo raced in space down the flank before squaring for Redon Mihana, who timed his run to perfection and fire a low finish past Kelvin Emeka.

Marsaxlokk continued to impress and, on the half-hour mark, Rasmus Linden unleashed a powerful effort that was parried away by Emeka.

Sliema enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

On 40 minutes, a Thiago Espindola corner was met by former Marsaxlokk striker Marcelo Barros Santos, whose effort crashed against the crossbar.

Sliema drew level on the hour mark, when Steve Pisani fired in a driven cross-shot from the right. Roko Prsa failed to make contact. Goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona could only punch the ball into the path of Thiago Espindola, who controlled it on his chest before floating a looping effort over Calleja Cremona and into the net.

Sliema continued to apply pressure down the left flank, with Montebello delivering a cross for Barros, whose header was directed straight at Calleja Cremona.

At the other end, substitute Domantas Simkus unleashed a rasping 30-metre strike that was pushed away by Emeka.

Sliema sought a reply soon after, but Mohamed Awad’s diagonal effort drifted wide of the far post. At the end, both sides had to settle for a point.