Valletta 2
Sliema W. 0
Valletta: Y. Cini, J. Caruana, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, S. Malano, E. Pene Beltre, J. Zerafa (J. Borg 71'), R. Muscat, M. Angel Alba (M.Piciollo 77'), B. Kaljevic, M. Fontanella (K. Nwoko 88')
Sliema W.: J. Galea, M. Muchardi (J.Mintoff 76'), M. Scerri, J. De Assis, N. Ashong, F. Temile, M. Sansone, P. Xuereb (K. Shaw 76'), G. Adamovic, S. Biancardi, Y. Marzouk
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Asst refs: Jurgen Spiteri, Paul Apap
4th official: Etienne Mangion
Scorers: Steve Borg 34', M. Piciollo 90'
Yellow cards: S. Borg, N. Ashong, Y. Marzouk, M.Scerri
Player of the match: Miguel Angel Alba (Valletta)
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Alba 2. E. Pena Beltre 3. J. de Assis
Without too much effort Valletta gained the points at stake thus closing the gap to just one point with Gzira and consolidating third place in the standings. It was a deserved win for the Champions though they didn't set any bushes on fire.
Valletta went into this match following defeat against Hamrun Spartans in their last outing. This had ended their fine run of ten positive results.
Sliema had won three of their last four league encounters, succumbing only to in form Balzan. To date both sides have been rather quiet in the January transfer market.
In the first round match Sliema had started the campaign with a bang defeating reigning champions Valletta by a convincing 3-0 scoreline.
Coach Danilo Doncic once again had to do without goalkeeper Bonello his place taken by Yenz Cini. There was no place in the starting line up for Matteo Piciollo and Kyrian Nwoko.
Valletta were first to press forward and on 8 minutes off an Alba cross from the right flank in came Fontanella whose shot went wide. And ten minutes later Valletta went near when an Alba free kick was turned into a corner by an agile Galea.
Sliema ventured forward for the first time in the 25th minute when Jefferson saw his central shot blocked by Cini. Valletta replied two minutes later through Kaljevic whose shot from the edge of the area was easily saved by Galea.
Valletta drew first blood in the 34th minute when off an Alba free kick Steve Borg rose above all and sundry and headed into the corner of the net. The last minutes of the first half were rather sloppy with Sliema failing to mount a proper reaction after conceeding.
The second half started with Sliema trying to dominate the proceedings and on 55 minutes Jefferson de Assis made his way on the right flank passed towards Matias Muchardi who with the goal at his mercy blasted over the bar.
Sliema kept on insisting and in the 70th minute Frank Temile made the best of an indecision in the Lillywhites rearguard passed towards De Assis with the latters shot deflected into a corner.
Valletta came once again into the picture two minutes later when a Fontanella shot just scraped the upright. In added time Sliema had a Kurt Shaw shot which went over the bar with Valletta securing the three points seconds later. It was substitute Matteo Piciollo who in a swift counter attack finish the Blues to the delight of the Valletta faithful.
Next week's showdown with Hibernians can start giving indications of things to come. It will surely be an interesting and tight affair between two teams who have been the main contenders for honours during the past years.