Ten-man Sliema Wanderers overcome Floriana

The first chance came for Floriana after four minutes when Mario Fontanella received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot that ended up wide.

Mario Fontanella managed to put Floriana ahead on the 11th minute. The Italian forward went through on goal and finished past Glenn Zammit.

Sliema equalised on the 25th minute. From a free kick, Mathias Muchardi sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Jean Paul Farrugia who headed past Justin Haber.

The Wanderers doubled the score on the half hour mark. Wisdom Salamon received the ball from Muchardi before firing a low shot inside the bottom corner.

On the 40th minute, John Buttigieg’s side made the score 3-1 through Marko Potezica. The Serbian striker went through on goal down the right flank and placed the ball past Haber.

Floriana had a good opportunity to reduce the margin of the score on the brink of half. Following a free kick, the Sliema’s defence failed to clear their lines. The rebound fell for Nicolas Chiesa who fired high.

Three minutes into the second half, Sliema ended up in ten men when Marko Potezica was shown a straight red card for a foul on Maurizio Vella.

On the 54th minute, Justin Haber was alert to deny Jean Paul Farrugia. The Sliema forward went inside the penalty area from the left flank and hit a strong shot that was parried out by the thirty five year old goalkeeper.

On the 61st minute, substitute Ryan Camenzuli went inside the box and attempted a shot, but his effort was blocked by Glenn Zammit.

Three minutes later, Floriana were unlucky not to score after Enzo Ruiz saw his shot from a free kick hitting the woodwork.

On the 67th minute, Denni Do Santos fired a strong shot from outside the penalty area that produced an excellent save from Haber.

Three minutes later, Fontanella tried his luck from distance, but his shot went high of the post.

In the remaining minutes, Floriana controlled most possession, but were unable to test Glenn Zammit.

Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Garry Muir, Gabriel Aquilina, Peter Xuereb, Wisdom Salomon, Mathias Muchardi, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Jean Paul Farrugia, Marko Potezica.

Floriana starting line-up: Justin Haber, Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Maurizio Vella, Jurgen Pisani, Alex Cini, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella.

Referee: Mario Apap

Assistant referees: Duncan Sultana, Luke Portelli

Fourth official: Alan Mario Sant

BOV player of the match: Mathias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers)