Sliema W. 1
Valletta 3
Sliema W. : J. Galea, M. Sansone, A. Stelitano, M. Scerri, K. Shaw, J. Cleo Pereira (J.Mintoff 73'), R. Fenech (S. Seydou 53'), J.Cisotti (S.Miloskovic 63') , J.Cruz Gill, C. Pani, J.P. Farrugia
Valletta : H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, M. Picciolo (K. Tulimieri 77'), J. Borg, D. Packer (S. Dimech 35'), E. Pena Beltre (J. Zerafa 38') ,N. Pulis, R. Muscat, M. Fontanella, Y. Messias
Referee: Mario Apap
Asst refs: Chris Francalanza, Paul Apap
4th official: Ishmael Barbara
Yellow Cards: Borg, Scerri
Scorers: Pena Beltre 21', Cisotti 37', Picciollo 50', Messias 90'
BOV Player of the Match: Yuri Messias
TMI Best Players: 1. Y. Messias 2. E. Pena Beltre 3. M. Picciollo
Attendance: 1,240
Valletta registered their first win of the campaign when in a tricky and balanced encounter they defeated Sliema Wanderers by three goals to one.
It was an entertaining match with some good flowing football and also tense moments. In fact both Sliema and Valletta had goals annulled but in the end the Citizens always had the edge over their opponents.
Both teams went into this match from defeats in their first outing. Sliema were beaten by Balzan by a 2-1 scoreline whereas Valletta surprisingly lost to newcomers Santa Lucia by the odd goal in five.
During this week the Blues signed Senegalese striker Seydou Sow whereas Valletta are still active in the transfer market where they are trying to conclude on Georgian midfielder Irakli Dzaria.
The first chance came Sliema's way when in the 3rd minute off a cross from the left by Juri Cisotti in came Pereira but his shot was deflected onto a corner. Valletta replied in the 9th minute through a personal effort by Yuri Messias but his shot ended inches wide.
The Citizens forged ahead in the 21st minute through a wonder strike by Emmy Pena Beltre whose shot from outside the area found the top corner of the net.
On 26 minutes Valletta went near to increasing their lead when Yuri Messias tried a shot which just missed the target.
But it was the Wanderers who drew level in the 37th minute. Mark Scerri found Juri Cisotti who from just inside the area fired the ball past a helpless Bonello.
Valletta started the second half on the offensive and in the 50th minute they took the lead once again. Matteo Picciolo exchanged with Messias and scored another good goal beating Galea all ends up.
Just past the hour Sliema went near when off a Pereira free kick Sansone caused havoc in the opposing area but his conclusion was finally cleared onto a corner and safely away.
In the 76th minute Sliema found the net only for their joy to be short lived. Substitute Miloskovic fired an acute shot from inside the area but although finding the net his goal was ruled out following an offside position of Jean Paul Farrugia who was obstructing goalkeeper Bonello.
On 79 minutes Valletta near to scoring their third goal when Dimech set Mario Fontanella but with Galea beaten, his lob scraped the upright.
Sliema put all their personnel on the attack but it was all in vain. Valletta controlled well the proceedings and also operated on the counter scoring their third goal through player of the match Messias.
In the end the points went Valletta's way which surely were more than welcome after their debacle in the first match against Santa Lucia.
As for Sliema two defeats from their first two outings are not what they hoped for and must surely the international break will be a blessing for them.