Sliema goalie’s saves keep low score
Sliema Floriana 0 1
The final score is not a clear indication of the difference between both teams. Sliema keeper Carlos Lia saved his side from a heavier defeat with some spectacular saves. The game was a clean and keen affair ably controlled by referee Gordon Camilleri.
Floriana took the initiative and Brandon Bray dribbled past an opponent on the right flank but Lia saved his shot in two attempts.
Bradley Sciberras then served Mattia Zarb with a through ball but a defender cleared the ball to a corner while later, Bray released Zarb just outside the area but Lia dived to save his shot to a corner. In another Sliema action Mikajl Camilleri served Jean Borg with a through ball but the drove over the bar from inside the area.
Floriana resumed their pressing. Zarb released Mifsud on the left flank who, after entering the area, missed the bar by inches.
In the last action before the break, Agius was fouled on the left flank but after the free kick by Galea, Lia saved a header by Mifsud.
In the first action after the restart, Bray was fouled on the left flank and following the free kick by Mifsud the ball was cleared on the line from a shot by Zarb.
In the 45th minute Floriana opened the score. Agius set Zarb free in the area and a defender cleared the ball to a corner which was taken by Sciberras. Lia was forced to palm the ball away to another corner and after the flag kick by Sciberras, Kurt Theuma headed the ball into the top right hand corner.
In an action by Sliema, Pirotta was fouled on the left edge of the area and Floriana keeper Christopher Farrugia saved the free kick by Jean Borg.
Floriana kept tyring to increase their lead and substitute Karl Farrugia passed the ball to Zarb in the area but Lia denied him with a diving save to a corner and after the flag kick by Sciberras, Lia had to dive and save a header by Theuma.
The last two actions before the end were created by Sliema. Substitute Liam Stewart served substitute Owen Zerafa with a through ball in the area but Farrugia foiled him with a timely sortie and Axl Zammit served Borg in the area but he missed the upright.
C.Lia, S.Muscat, A.Zammit, S.Cassar, K.Camilleri, G.Barone, M.Desira, M.Camilleri, N.Kelly, L.Pirotta, J.Borg
C.Farrugia, S.Agius, S.Bartolo, M.Galea, J.Mallia Phyall, J.Farrugia Vella, D.Mifsud, K.Theuma, M.Zarb, B.Bray, B.Sciberras. Referee: Gordon Camilleri. Player of the match: Simon Agius (Floriana).