Marsaxlokk’s residual championship hopes came to an end yesterday when Valletta won an exciting second half with the odd goal in seven.

It was an incredible match, after a boring first half. Valletta scored three goals in the opening 19 minutes and looked set for an easy win, but Marsaxlokk effected a Liverpool style comeback, obtaining the equaliser in a12-minute spell. But more was in store for the supporters present as Argentine striker Monesterolo scored a gem with two minutes to go direct from a free-kick to give Valletta an incredible but well deserved victory.

Coach Paul Zammit is working wonders with the boys in white, as he is moulding a team, that is surely hard to beat. Strong in defence, effective in midfield and lethal in attack were Gilgert Agius and Monesterolo form a perfect attacking tandem.

For Marsaxlokk this second consecutive blow, leaves them little or no hope at all to keep fighting for the title

Valletta had midfielder Jonathan Bondin missing, whilst Marsaxlokk had Ruben Gauci in goal for the suspended Ruben Debono, and Wendell Gomes was on the substitute’s bench.

Valletta had their first try at goal with Ian Zammit, and Monesterolo testing Gauci. Monesterolo was closely watched by Nuno Gomes, with Wellman keeping an eye on the Valletta captain Agius.

Nisevic, and Sharlon Pace were confirmed in defence with Forace and Cassar on the flanks. Craig Dean and Mattocks were Valletta’s central pillars in midfield with Ian Zammit on the left and Keith Fenech on the right.

Andre Schembri was Marsaxlokk’s spearhead in attack, supported by Frendo and Kevin Sammut. Magro, Gomes and Wellman were the three defenders, with Licari and Mamo covering the flanks.

On 15 minutes Marsaxlokk almost scored when Chucks Nwoko passed to Jamie Pace whose shot was blocked by a Sullivan timely sortie. Two minutes Ray Farrugia had to make the first change as Shaun Tellus was romped in for Licari.

The match was played at a very slow pace with Marsaxlokk having more of the ball. On the half hour Kevin Sammut went past Forace and Zammit and from his cross Andre Schembri hit slightly wide.

Even Valletta had to make their first change with Barbara coming in for Cassar. On 41 minutes Craig Dean and Gilbert Agius played the ball well with the former shooting well over the bar. Before the break a Jamie Pace scorcher from the edge of the area, slightly missed the crossbar.

Marsaxlokk made their second change at the start of the second half with Frendo substituted by Wendell Gomes. In the first minute Valletta broke the deadlock when Ian Zammit headed powerfully in a Keith Fenech cross form the right. Marsaxlokk’s reaction was an immediate one, with Wendell Gomes hitting the side netting after a Sammut move. On 54 minutes Valletta doubled the score when Gilbert Agius received a long ball from Nisevic dribbled past Magro and from the edge of the area shot beautifully in the corner of the net.

Sullivan kept his goal intact when he blocked a close range effort from Wellman.

On 64 minutes Valletta scored their third goal, a very good goal indeed, when Mattcoks played to Zammit who passed to Monesterolo whose perfect lob gave Gauci no chance. Two minutes later Marsaxlokk pulled one back when Wendell Gomes went past Forace and beat Sullivan with a perfect grounder.

Marsaxlokk did not give and obtained a dramatic equaliser with two goals in the space of two minutes. On 78 minutes Wendell Gomes scored a beauty from the edge of the area, and sixty seconds later the same Gomes was floored by Sullivan, and from the resultant penalty Shaun Bajada obtained an incredible equaliser.

All tactical positioning was now abandoned with both sides in search of the winner. Ian Zammit shot slightly over the bar and Sullivan saved a Bajada shot from the edge of the area. With two minutes to go Monesterolo scored a beauty direct from a free-kick with the ball hitting the base of the upright before beating Gauci for an incredible winner.

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Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, J. Pace, K. Sammut (S. Bajada), C. Magro, S. Wellman, C. Mamo, C. Nwoko, N. Gomes, A. Schembri, C. Frendo (W. Gomes), M. Licari (S. Tellus)

Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar (M. Barbara), S. Pace, B. Nisevic, R. Forace (R. Forace), K. Fenech, C. Mattocks, C. Dean, I. Zammit, S. Monesterolo, G. Agius (D. Zarb).

Referee: C. Pisani asst. refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri, 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: I. Zammit, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo (2), W. Gomes 2, S. Bajada (pen)

Yellow cards: M. Licari, S. Monesterolo, J. Pace, I. Zammit, K. Fenech, C. Mamo.

Player of the match: Gilbert Agius (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. G. Agius 2. B. Nisevic 3. W. Gomes