JP Farrugia strike enough for Sliema

A Jean Paul Farrugia strike a few minutes from the interval was enough to give Sliema all the three points from their derby against neighbours Gzira yesterday.

It was sweet revenge for Sliema who were beaten 1-0 by the Maroons in the first round.

The victory lifted Sliema on the 20-point mark, while Gzira remained on nine points, just two above bottom placed Pembroke.

Sliema had Alex Muscat returning to the side after injury while Gary Muir was missing from the squad.

The first half was a boring affair except for the final 10 minutes or so with Sliema eventually breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute.

Sliema were perhaps more methodical than their opponents, but they rarely managed to create the necessary openings with Gzira covering well at the back. It was only five minutes from the end of the half that they finally took the lead – it proved to be the winner.

The Maroons were also ineffective up front despite the roaming of Correa Duarte Ricardo Calixto who tried hard to get his teammates going. On their part, they never really tested goalie Glenn Zammit in the Sliema goal.

In the second half, the match saw Gzira making a good effort to try and get back on level terms.

They battled gallantly till the end, but it was not enough as Sliema held on to their slender lead.

Sliema should have laid the match to rest on at least two occasions in the final 25 minutes, but they missed them and Gzira remained in contention till the very end, albeit in vain.

The match had a quiet start, but on the fourth minute, Sliema had their first attempt on goal through JP Farrugia, whose dipper went wide.

In the 13th minute Muchardi was through in the Gzira area, but goalie Boerchio rushed out of his charge to dive at his feet and avoid an awkward situation.

Gzira went close to scoring in the 28th minute when Calixto crossed dangerously into the Sliema goalmouth where Jallow Salieu was a second too late to connect in front of Zammit.

Seven minutes later, Sliema were awarded a freekick outside the area, but Denni dos Santos lifted the ball well over the bar.

At the other end, it was Calixto who went close for Gzira with a good effort off a Salieu good pass, but the ball went just wide.

It was Sliema who broke the deadlock on the 40th minute when Mark Scerri crossed perfectly for Jean Paul Farrugia to beat Boerchio from close in.

In the 45th minute, Sliema were close to a second goal. From a Mintoff cross, it was JP Farrugia who flicked sideways, but the ball this time just missed the target.

Early in the second half, Gzira were awarded a freekick in three quarters pitch from which a melee ensued in front of the Sliema goal. Machedo Neto managed to put the ball at the back of the net, but the point was disallowed, probably for an offside infringement.

Gzira pressed forward in search of an equaliser and a Conti effort went over the bar.

Sliema missed a good chance to double their lead in the 68th minute. Mark Scerri set Denni dos Santos in the Gzira area, but the Brazilian’s effort went wide with only the goalie to beat.

On 77 minutes, it was Alex Muscat who denied Gzira as he cleared to corner in time a dangerous Corbalan cross.

The latter tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the area, but his effort went wide.

In the 86th minute, Spiteri set JP Farrugia but goalie Boerchio again came to his side’s rescue as he dived at the Sliema striker’s feet to save.

Another Sliema chance went begging in added time when Muchardi set substitute Salomon beautifully, but he skied the ball from an ideal position.