BOV Premier League | Sliema Wanderers 1 – Pembroke Athleta 1

In the early stages of the match, Sliema had to change Mark Scerri after suffering an injury. Salomon Wisdom took his place.

However, this change didn’t affect Sliema’s morale as they created the first chance of the match on the 13th minute. Denni Dos Santos sent a dangerous cross inside the penalty area which Argyrs Roppas managed to neutralise.

A minute later, the Wanderers had another opportunity on goal. Jean Paul Farrugia won possession inside Pembroke’s penalty area, but his shot went high.

John Buttigieg’s side kept putting pressure on Pembroke and nearly opened the score on the 18th minute. Wisdom went on a good run down the right flank and hit a cross shot which was cleared off the line by Miguel Attard.

On the 23rd minute, Alex Muscat of sliema sent a shot from distance that ended up high.

Sliema’s supporters protested for a penalty on the 41st minute. Wisdom sent a cross inside the penalty area which Roppas managed to partially clear. Possession fell for Jean Paul Farrugia whose shot was blocked by Adrian Borg as the Sliema supporters protested for a handball.

The Wanderers forged ahead four minutes into the second half. Denni sent a low cross towards Frank Temille who slotted the ball inside the net.

On the 58th minute, Pembroke were forced to substitute Roppas after suffering an injury. Matthew Calleja Cremona took his place for the last half an hour.

Sliema nearly doubled the score on the 72nd minute. Farrugia hit a strong shot that was deflected by a Pembroke defender in the direction of Temille. The Sliema midfielder sent a shot from close range that went high.

Three minutes later, Sliema lost another golden chance. Temille found Wisdom who finished slightly wide.

In his first real test, Guiseppe Sarao was on the alert to deny Pembroke from equalising. From a free kick, Barbetti sent the ball towards Borg whose header forced an excellent save from the Italian goalkeeper.

Pembroke pushed for an equaliser in the latter stages of the match and were denied once more from Sarao on the 84th minute. Raphael Alan Kooh Sohna served Darren Falzon and the latter hit a low shot that forced another save from the Sliema goalkeeper.

However, Sarao could not do anything a minute later as Pembroke scored the equalising goal. Paltemio Barbetti delivered the ball towards Sohna who went through on the right side of the penalty area before finishing inside the net.

Pembroke Athleta starting line-up: Argyrs Roppas, Darren Falzon, Arber Dhrami, Miguel Attard, Raphael Alan Kooh Sohna, Stevan Raccic, Asani Djeljilj, Paltemio Barbetti, Andreas Scozzese, Brooke Farrugia, Adrian Borg.

Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Guiseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Frank Temille, Gabriel Aquilina, Armando Dos Santos, Jonathan Pearson, Denni Dos Santos, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Mark Scerri, Leonardo Incorvaia, Jean Paul Farrugia.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Chris Azzopardi

Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri

BOV player of the match: Denni Dos Santos (Sliema Wanderers)