Senglea revival continues with win against Sliema

foot early in the game.

Even without the suspended Caseres, and with Terracciano left on the bench, Senglea should take positives from the physical determination with which they went about their task and largely kept Sliema at arm’s length.

A goal, after eight minutes, put them early in the driving seat. Terence Vella picked Virano’s pass wide on the right and curled a low cross shot past Biancardi that completely surprised the Sliema keeper Zammit, when disracted by Palmieri’s presence in front of goal.

Senglea’s hopes of trying to stifle the Wanderers worked as the first half progressed and John Buttigieg’s side struggled for tempo and rhythm.

The Wanderers had Mark Scerri starting in midfield instead of Sansone, Ryan Spiteri replacing the injured Temile and Jonathan Pearson playing as centre back, with Stefano Biancardi moving wide on the left in a for-man defence.

They had plenty of possession on the fringes of the Senglea area but they were frequently too narrow and they struggled to pick the killer pass.

Matthew Farrugia in the Senglea goal was never overworked, except when turning a De Assis effort into a corner, towards the half hour, after Milinceanu had headed down the ball to him inside the Senglea area.

Senglea could have done better on the counter, as Sliema pressed, but the diligence with which they held their lead excused any inattention further forward.

The first half drifted by with little in the way of penalty box action.

Sliema put in Ricardo Correa for Spiteri at the start of the second half but suffered a further setback, conceding Senglea’s second goal hardly four minutes after the restart.

Peter Sammut robbed Mintoff of the ball on the left, played a deft one-two with Palmieri and placed the ball low beyond keeper’s reach at the far post.

Slima needed to summon more ruthlessness in attack to break a Senglea defence marshalled superbly by Jonathan Bondin and Randal Vella.

On 56 minutes Milinceanu’s header had the Senglea keeper beaten but Bondin cleared off the line. Keeper Farrugia was twice called to hold out long range shots by Scerri.

Otherwise Sliema’s attacking play lacked urgency and rhythm with Milinceanu struggling to get involved.

Senglea did not sit deep for the entirety of the contest and struck a third goal on 75 minutes. Terence Vella was again involved, as he converted a penalty after Biancardi floored Sammut inside the Sliema area.

For the second time in seven days, Senglea were left with something to cherish.

Senglea Athletic players celebrate scoring their second in their fine 3-0 win over Sliema Wanderers. Photo: Dominic Aquilina