Msida SJ-Valletta 0-1

An early second half strike from Jerry Ani enabled Valletta to breathe with relief yesterday as they beat Msida to earn three very precious points.

After last week’s defeat against Floriana, a victory yesterday was a must for the citizens, considering the difficult programme they have ahead of them.

As to Msida, they remain in a comfortable mid-table position, but yesterday they deserved at least a draw after their impressive, though unfortunate second half performance.

In the opening half, this match simply had no story except for some brief moments between the 29 and 33 minutes when Valletta appeared a little menacing in front of Omar Borg.

Otherwise, it was a boring affair from the very first minute. Neither side seemed to be able to express themselves as they might have wished. Passes went astray, the defences were more intent on clearing the ball away with no idea where it was going. On most occasions it went to their opponents’ feet.

It was certainly a bad advert for local football and I sincerely hope that we do not witness any more of this football, if one can call it football.

In the first half, thrills and notable actions were inexistent except for a long distance Gilbert Agius free-kick that was saved on deck by the diving Borg.

In the second half, both teams improved considerably with the consequence that play became much more entertaining and interesting.

Valletta took the lead early after a defensive lapse, and Msida then fought back in an effort to save the match only to miss some good chances, apart from being thwarted by my man of the match Sean Sullivan, which left them empty-handed.

The second half was much better. It had a most promising start as Msida went close to opening the score. Babatunde effected a good run on the right, crossed low to Nwoke for the latter to pass to substitute Donald Gatt. However, the latter’s effort, though beating Sullivan, ended inches wide of the target.

At the other end, Jerry Ani missed a golden opportunity when he went round Borg only to hit the side rigging with an open goal at his mercy.

On 52 minutes, Valletta opened the scoring. It was a confused action in the Msida area and with the Reds failing to clear the ball, it went to the unmarked Jerry Ani who fired home.

Three minutes later, Bajada had the equaliser in his pocket but he skied the ball from an ideal position after a good Babatunde run.

On the hour a fine exchange of passes between Fenech and Nwoke ended with the latter’s rising shot going just over. Babatunde was unlucky on 63 minutes when his powerful close-range header off a fine cross from Nwoke hit Sullivan and the ball went to corner.

There was confusion on 66 minutes when with Cassar injured, Bezzina substituted him on the signal of the fourth official, but not with the authorisation of the referee.

Ani missed two more chances for Valletta as did Bajada and Gatt for Msida.

With four minutes to go, Sullivan again denied Babatunde with an excellent reflex save.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, J. Mifsud, C. Micallef, T. Farrugia, R. Bajada, C. Sciberras (D. Gatt, M. Valenzia), D. Cachia (S. Tagliaferro), P. Fenech, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar (S. Bezzina), B. Nisevic, M. Grima, S. Pace, I. Zammit, J. Bondin, K. Fenech, C. Camilleri (A. Debono), G. Agius, J. Ani (K. Magro).

Referee: C. Pisani. Asst refs: A. Camilleri, E. Farrugia; 4th official: L. Sammut

Scorers: J. Ani,

Yellow cards: K. Fenech, I. Zammit, T. Farrugia, B. Nisevic,

Player of the match: Gilbert Agius.

TMI top three: 1. S. Sullivan, 2. B. Nisevic, 3. P. Fenech