Malta round-up: Seven-point lead for Sliema
Sunday, January 5, 2003
Article summary
Sliema Wanderers FC opened up a seven-point gap at the top with a 5-0 victory over Hamrun Spartans FC.
Article body
Title favourites Sliema Wanderers FC opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the Maltese Premier League win a convincing 5-0 victory over Hamrun Spartans FC at the weekend.
Crucial fixtures
Sliema lead the way on 35 points from their 14 matches, while Valletta FC and Birkirkara FC both have 28 points but have played one match less than the leaders. Sliema take on Valletta in a crunch fixture on 7 January, before Valletta and Birkirkara go head-to-head next Saturday.
Doncic double
Danilo Doncic claimed his 101st Premier League goal when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 19 minutes, and Kevin Sammut doubled the lead 17 minutes later. Joe Brincat made it 3-0 with 21 minutes remaining after substitute goalkeeper Ivan Casha had blocked his first effort, before Doncic scored his second of the match and Massimo Grima completed the rout with a fifth goal.
Hibernians held
In Saturday's other fixture at the National Stadium, champions Hibernians FC again failed to live up to their reputation and dropped two more points with a 2-2 draw against bottom club Marsa FC. Adrian Mifsud tapped Hibernians in front after 14 minutes, before Chris Borg drew Marsa level three minutes after half-time. Former Hibernians striker Malcolm Tirchett beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat to give the underdogs a surprise lead, but Branko Nisevic equaliser with a header nine minutes from time.
Di Lello on target
Pietà Hotspurs FC rediscovered their winning form on Sunday, beating Mosta FC 2-0. Second-half goals from Italian import Maurizio Di Lello and Sharlon Pace sealed the victory and moved Pietà up to sixth place on 19 points. Elsewhere, Floriana FC completed a 2-0 home win over Marsaxlokk FC at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Penalty miss
Marsaxlokk's Johann Zammit missed a first-half penalty and the visitors were made to pay when Jean-Pierre Triganza (46) and Georgian striker Grigol Gvazava (55) scored the vital goals. Both sides finished the match with ten men, following red cards for Trevor Templeman and Etienne Barbara.
