Impressive Sliema Wanderers cruise past Ħamrun Spartans

Ħamrun created the first chance of the match after five minutes. Following a corner, Christian Maldini passed the ball towards Jake Grech. The young Ħamrun captain fired a shot that was saved by Glenn Zammit.

Sliema responded a minute later through Mark Scerri who hit a low shot that was saved by David Cassar.

The Wanderers had another opportunity on the 13th minute. Mattias Muccardi sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Denni Roccha Dos Santos. However, the Sliema forward headed wide.

On the half hour mark, Sliema were awarded a penalty after Muccardi was brought down inside the penalty area. From the eleven metres mark, Alex Muscat kept his composure and finished past substitute goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia to put his side ahead.

John Buttigieg’s side kept on dominating the first half and were close to double the score on the brink of half time. Denni saw space and sent a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went slightly over.

Three minutes into the second half, Haruna Zambuk Garba of  Ħamrun made space for himself and fired a shot from distance that ended up over.

Sliema doubled the score on the 54th minute. Jean Paul Farrugia went past Maldini and hit a low shot that ended up in the corner of the net.

The Wanderers had another good opportunity on the 60th minute when Denni went inside the penalty area and fired a shot that was parried by Matthew Farrugia.

 Mattias Muccardi went close to add another goal for Sliema on the 75th minute. The Italian midfielder went inside the penalty area and sent a shot that produced a good save from Matthew Farrugia.

Five minutes later, Sliema managed to score their third goal. From a free kick, Denni saw his shot hitting the upright. The ball went into Maldini, who committed an own goal.

In the additional time given by the referee, Darren Falzon of Ħamrun fired a close range shot that was neutralised by Zammit.

Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Garry Muir, Roger De Souza Villas Boas, Peter Xuereb, Wisdom Salomon, Mattias Muccardi, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Jean Paul Farrugia, Denni Roccha Dos Santos.

Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: David Cassar, Philip Chircop, Christian Maldini, Haruna Zambuk Garba, Luis Miguel Vergara Rodriguez, Nanapere Saturday, Massimiliano Giusti, Leandro Wallace Motta Dos Santos, Jake Grech, Mesque Neto Jorge, Luke Grech.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Assistant referees: Mitchell Scerri, Chris Azzopardi

Fourth official: Mario Apap

BOV player of the match: Mattias Muccardi (Sliema)