Valletta-Pieta H. 2-1

CHRIS CASSAR

Another five star display by Valletta captain Gilbert Agius helped the Lilywhites to another win, this time in the FA Trophy against Pieta, a success that puts the Citizens in the last eight of the competition.

Valletta were worthy winners in this match which was highly interesting in the first half, with Valletta always holding the upper hand.

In the second period the match faded out completely and only came to life in the dying minutes when Valletta could have added further goals.

Apart from Agius, the rest of the Valletta players gave their hearts out, confirming once again that Valletta’s main weapon so far this season is their fighting spirit.

Pieta were well below form, but great credit must go to to JJ Aquilina’s boys who subdued completely the boys in blue.

The first half was very interesting. There was some fast flowing football with Valletta showing the better ideas especially in attack. In fact Pieta were rather subdued up front even though they managed to obtain the equaliser in their first real attack.

However, Pieta played a very tactical match with Ortas and Repuh playing well in midfield. Valletta, on their part, had in Penchev a very hard working player who, together with Keith Fenech ,was outstaniding in midfield in the first half. Even Mark Galea and Chris Camilleri worked hard for the Lilywhites.

As usual Gilbert Agius was above the rest and was once again Valletta’s best player. Agius effected the first shots at goal but Saviour Darmanin was on hand to save. On 17 minutes however he was not to be denied when all alone in front of Darmanin he dribbled past the Pieta goalkeeper before scoring.

Pieta tried to organise a reaction but Massimo Grima, at the heart of the Valletta defence, was outstanding. Pieta managed to score in their first real danger after 30 minutes when from an Ortas cross from the right Ivan Woods shot low into the net.

The match was now more balanced but Valletta increased the pressure in the last minutes of the first part to take a deserved lead.

On 39 minutes Penchev started a well executed move passing to Agius who passed to Galea whose shot was somehow blocked by Darmanin.

Four minutes later Valletta were back in front with a good run by Gilbert Agius on the left flank, who crossed to Mark Galea for the latter to nod down to Ian Zammit who slammed the ball home.

The second half started with Pieta being more aggressive with Ortas showing some neat touches. But Valletta were menacing with their breaks and Camilleri missed a good opportunity following an Agius-Galea move. Mid-way through a long range shot from Frendo almost deceived Sullivan but the Valletta custodian managed to save.

The match dragged on and lost much of the first half splendour. Valletta could have wrapped the match in the 82nd minute when Ian Zammit shot wide with an open goal at his mercy following another Gilbert Agius move.

Two minutes later Valletta wasted another golden opportunity. Grima’s freekick was brilliantly saved by Darmanin and from the rebound Zammit passed to Camilleri who headed incredibly high.

Valletta continued to create glaring scoring chances but they wasted all their shots with Saviour Darmanin effecting the best save of the match denying Mark Galea from close range.