Malta round-up: Breathing space for Sliema
Monday, March 10, 2003
Article summary
Sliema Wanderers FC are five points clear after a 3-0 win against Valletta FC this weekend.
Article body
Sliema Wanderers FC cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Valletta FC to go five points clear at the top of the Maltese Premier League championship pool.
Two for Doncic
The opening goal arrived after only 14 minutes, as the Valletta defence failed to clear Joe Brincat's cross and Noel Turner pounced quickly to shoot past Sean Sullivan. Seven minutes before the interval Danilo Doncic found a way through the Valletta defence only to be brought down in the box by Daniel Theuma. Doncic duly converted the resulting penalty to double his side's advantage. The Yugoslavian striker sealed the match with his second goal of the evening, and his 17th of the season, with a powerful shot after 59 minutes.
Sultana strikes again
In the first of the Monday matches at the National Stadium, Hamrun Spartans FC eased their relegation worries by going top of the relegation pool with a 3-1 win over relegation haunted Mosta FC. Malta's all-time top goalscorer Stefan Sultana scored another double for the Spartans in the 42nd and 77th minutes to take his personal tally for the season to eleven goals. Gaetan Spiteri scored the other goal for Hamrun after 61 minutes. Carlos Camenzuli had temporarily levelled the scores with a goal for Mosta five minutes into the second half.
Zammit sinks Birkirkara
Elsewhere, Johann Zammit strike for Marsaxlokk FC after just 17 minutes was enough to sink title challengers Birkirkara FC and send them reeling to their fifth defeat of the season. Former Birkirkara goalkeeper Reuben Debono, transferred to the seasiders during the January transfer window period, performed heroics in goal to keep the Stripes at bay.
Champions recover
Champions Hibernians FC produced a two-minute second half recovery to beat a resilient Pietà Hotspurs FC 2-1 in the first of the two Friday championship pool matches at the National Stadium. Hotspurs seemed to be cruising to victory, when Ivan Woods put them ahead from the penalty spot, just nineteen minutes from time. However, the champions’ reaction was immediate with Antoine Zahra and Nigerian midfield player Essien Mbong scoring in quick succession to earn a win.
