Valletta found back their winning ways after two consecutive defeats, easily disposing of a de-motivated Pieta lot. Valletta were worthy winners in a match that was interesting only in the second half. Thus Valletta obtained their goal and will now start the championship pool four points behind leaders Sliema.
In fact the first half was a real bore to watch, and was another demonstration of the sorry state of Maltese football. However Valletta coach JJ Aquilina introduced Chris Camilleri for Kevin Cassar and this move proved to be the Citizens’ winning trump. In fact Chris Camilleri, apart from scoring a beautiful goal, gave Valletta a new lease of life in attack.
Oretan showed small signs of improvement and the goal scored can boost his morale. Gilbert Agius showed some good flashes, and Mark Galea played a blinder, giving his heart out.
Pieta had an overall dismal display, and the January sale of several key players is leaving its toll on the Hotspurs’ performances, and they must watch out in the decisive relegation matches.
Valletta had Jonathan Bondin and Rene Forace back in their ranks, and took the lead after nine minutes when Chris Oretan received a long ball from Massimo Grima and beat Hogg with a perfect lob to score his first goal for the Citizens this season. Massimo Grima was back in his defensive central position, in the absence of Branco Nisevic.
Pieta who were without Gareth Sciberras had a dangerous corner and an Okoh freekick missing the target. On 21 minutes Massimo Grima shot wide following a short Gilbert Agius freekick.
The match passed through a very bad patch with not even a decent shot at goal. Forace’s match lasted around thirty minutes and was substituted by Stefan Grima.
On 41 minutes Carl Sammut broke the monotony when his curling freekick skimmed the crossbar.
The second half started with Valletta missing a glaring chance when Keith Fenech gave a perfect pass to Chris Oretan who missed the golden opportunity shooting weakly. However on 51 minutes Valletta doubled the score when Chris Oretan crossed from the left, Gilbert Agius tried to head home, with ball coming to Mark Galea who slammed the ball home.
Valletta were now playing on velvet and missed the third goal minutes later with Gilbert Agius passing to substitute Chris Camilleri who had his attempt blocked in time by Bernard Sciberras.
On 56 minutes Valletta put the issue beyond any doubt when they scored their third goal, and it was a breath taking goal scored by Gozitan Chris Camilleri who blasted in the roof of the net following an inviting pass by City captain Gilbert Agius.
Valletta eased their pressure and Pieta had a good opportunity through Caludio Calleja but Sullivan left his charged out of position to block in time. With nine minutes to go Gilbert Agius went very close when his lob beat Hogg but his shot missed the upright.
However the Valletta captain put his name in the scorers’ list with four minutes to go when he scored with a low shot following a good Grima pass.
In the dying seconds, Sean Sullivan made his presence felt when he twice denied Repuh from certain goals.
However the Valletta custodian could do nothing to deny Isse Adan from scoring his first goal on the island, when he hit home from close range following a melee in the Valletta penalty area.
Second phase
The second phase of the Premier League, with matches from the Championship and Relegation Pools, starts next week-end with the following fixtures:
Saturday: Sliema W-Floriana; Birkirkara-Hibernians
Sunday: Lija A-St Patrick; Valletta-Marsaxlokk