Second half goal decides issue

Paola H Sliema 1 0

The final result does not reflect the true difference between the two teams as the Paolites enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges during the whole 80 minutes. Sliema were kept pressed in their own area for long stretches defending grimly.

The early pressure came from Paola. Matthew Portelli was fouled outside the area and after Andreas Vella served Neil Portelli on the right flank from the free kick but the ball was headed.

Sliema created their first actions after 29 minutes when Mohammed Abuda released Kurt Borg in the area but the ball was cleared to a corner from his shot. Mikail Camilleri served Abuda with a through ball and Andreas Vella foiled him with a perfect timely tackle. Substitute Nicholas Baldacchino was fouled outside the area and from the free kick by Gareth Barone, the ball was blocked by the defensive barrier and was cleared away.

Seven minutes after the restart Paola opened the score when Neil Portelli was fouled outside the area and Matthew Portelli scored direct from the free kick with a hard low drive.

After taking the lead Paola created two more actions. Jamie Carbone set Nathan Attard free on the right flank and Lia neutralised the ball from his cross in two attempts. Attard then dribbled past an opponent on the right flank who then crossed the ball to substitute Matthias Vella and he drove over the bar from inside the area.

In a Sliema action, substitute Jake Briffa was fouled outside the area and Paola keeper Ryan Vella was forced to fist the ball away after the free kick by Liam Stewart.

In the last action before the end by Paola, Matthias Vella was fouled in midfield and the free kick by Matthew Portelli created havoc in Sliema’s area but the ball was somehow cleared away to safety.

R.Vella, N.Attard, R.Cassar, M.Portelli, N.Portelli, A.Vella, L.Borg, J.Carbone, M.Ellul, G.Mifsud, M.Muscat

C.Lia, J,Kind, L.Pirotta, L.Stewart, S.Muscat, G.Barone, M.Camilleri, M.Abuda, J.Borg, C.Dalli, K.Borg Luke Xuereb