VALLETTA 5

SLIEMA WANDERERS 0

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, K. Scicluna, L. Dimech, S. Bezzina, N. Priso Doding (D. Grima), R. Briffa, J. Pace (E. Agius), G. Agius, I. Zammit (S. Monesterolo), C. Frendo

Sliema W: S. Agius, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi, J. Vella (M. Ciantar), M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods (K.P. Farrugia), L. Dronca, I. Ciantar, V. Coto (J. Mintoff), R. Bajada

Referee: P. Caruana Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: N. Priso Doding (2), J. Grioli, J. Pace, G. Agius (pen)

Yellow cards: J. Chetcuti

Player of the match: N. Priso Doding (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. N. Priso Doing 2. C. Frendo 3. G. Agius

With Hibernians winning earlier, the spotlight turned on Valletta who could not afford to slip against other FA Trophy finalists Sliema Wanderers, in order to keep up the pace. Their work was finished early as Valletta were already three goals up within the first 17 minutes, by which time the game was as good as over.

They broke the deadlock after seven minutes when a Zammit long range shot rebounded off the foot of the post and Priso Doding pounced on the loose ball to beat the helpless Agius, deputising for the suspended Bonello in the Sliema goal.

Agius was caught off his line six minutes later when Justin Grioli galloped down the right flank on a Frendo pass, and sent a curling cross shot which ended behind the keeper.

On 17 minutes, Sliema’s distracted defence collapsed to concede a third. A Gilbert Agius corner was headed down by Priso for Jamie Pace to shoot in from close range.

From then on, Sliema faced an uphill struggle and although they put in Mintoff for Coto on the half hour, Valletta still remained the potent side in attack. Priso was blocked by the keeper and Gilbert Agius ran in well for Zammit’s cross but hit the ball narrowly wide.

Sliema failed to get to grips with their superior opponents even in the second half as Valletta remained dominant. Woods, who was starved of service, shot Chetcuti’s pass off target.

On 70 minutes the Citizens were awarded a penalty, flagged by assistant Spiteri for Ciantar’s handling on a Frendo cross, which captain Gilbert Agius tucked away in style.

Five minutes later Priso Doding added further misery to the Wanderers with another low strike after playing one-two with Gilbert Agius before running clear inside the Sliema area.

A late effort by substitute Miguel Ciantar was parried by keeper Hogg as the Wanderers finished with the appearance of a side resigned to their fate.