Valletta 1

Marsaxlokk 1

Valletta:Montfort, Cassar, Grima, Pace, Bonnici, Bondin, Fenech, Penchev, Forace (Camilleri), Galea (S.Grima), Zammit (Zarb)

Marsaxlokk: Debono, Paiber, Tellus , Buhagiar, Magro, Mamo (Licari), Camilleri, Trendafilov, Pace, Ochei (Templeman), Mamo

Referee: C. Lautier. Asst Refs: K. Borg, P. Agius. 4th Official: C. Pisani

Scorers: M.Galea, R. Buhagiar

Yellow cards: C. Camilleri, S. Grima, D. Zarb, S. Tellus, M. Licari

TMI top three: 1.M. Penchev 2. R. Forace 3. M. Grima

Valletta were held at the death by Marsaxlokk in a one-all draw at the Victor Tedesco Stadium yesterday. A packed crowd withstood rain and biting cold to see Mark Galea guide a picture diving header past Debono on 57 minutes only for Richard Bihagiar to equalize in stoppage time for the Southseasiders.

Perched on the top of the table on equal footing with Sliema, Valletta were hoping to claim the three points against Marsaxlokk to consolidate their lead at the summit. The Lilywhites had to do without the important services of Gilbert Agius who was out injured whilst Marsaxlokk were sporting their new acquisitions, Trendafilov and Ochei in the hop of garnering a good result against the leaders.

The opening minutes saw Valletta dictating play but Marsaxlokk were standing firm in defence as was to be expected. The windswept conditions and rain were also making play quite difficult. Ochei had a good shot that was well saved by Montfort after 18 minutes as chances were coming at a premium. Marsaxlokk again cam close on 21 minutes when a freekick by Trendafilov went just past Montfort’s post as the match began to open up slightly. Ochei was again in the fray when he slipped past Montfort but the Valletta defence was on hand to crowd him out just seconds later.

The match was being fought at extremely close quarters and Valletta were not getting at all close to scoring opportunities due to the Southseasiders close marking. A Penchev freekick on the half hour that was easily saved by Debono was all they had to show after the first third of the game. Jamie Pace had an adequate shot that was saved by Montfort on 34 minutes whilst a curling freekick by Bonnici almost caused panic in the Marsaxlokk defence on 36 minutes. Otherwise the half was singularly poor in goalmouth action and flowing football.

Valletta should have gone ahead on 51 minutes when Ruben Debono miskicked incredibly after a back pass from Tellus with Mark Galea unable to capitalize on the keeper’s error who remedied himself by clearing off the line in extremis. However the Lilywhites took the lead with a beautiful goal on 57 minutes. Rennie Forace had a brilliant run down the left, crossed into the box with Mark Galea directing a brilliant diving header past the hapless Debono. It was no less than Valletta deserved as they had begun the second half much more determined to play good football.

Marsaxlokk could have come back immediately on 68 minutes when Licari capitalized on a defensive error to cross into the box as Jamie Pace headed almost identically to Mark Galea’s diving position but the Marsaxlokk player’s effort was stupendously saved by Montfort with his fingertips.

Valletta could have doubled their tally on 72 minutes when Ian Zammit forged out in the clear but Debono somehow blocked his low shot. The Lilywhites were now finding space at the back as the Southseasiders were committed to attack.

The Southseasiders could not penetrate Valletta’s well-organized defence and had to resort to set pieces although Trendafilov was not in his usual form. However on 94 minutes a cross by the same Trendafilov found Richard Buhagiar who headed home to stun Valletta and grab a deserved point for Marsaxlokk.