Valletta-Msida SJ 2-2

Although both attacks were blunted by the absences of the suspended Ian Zammit for Valletta and Ibrahim Babatunde for Msida, the match produced four goals and plenty of entertainment especially in the first half.

Sebastian Monesterolo was again Valletta's shining beacon in attack as he scored two more spectacular goals to take his personal tally to nine already this season, but this time he failed to hand his side a victory.

Although Valletta had more of the attacking play yesterday, Msida took stock and battled their way into the match to level the score after twice falling behind, thus interrupting Valletta's winning sequence.

Valletta had defender Cassar also missing through injury and Forace was relegated to the bench as coach Zammit gave starts to Bondin, Bezzina and Zarb.

Msida had Josef Mifsud and Pullicino back into the side after suspension, as well as Zongo, with Grima and Gatt among their substitutes. Bartolo was preferred to Borg in goal.

The match was off to a quiet start and both teams struggled to build anything in a tepid first quarter hour, until Valletta broke the deadlock.

Agius played the ball forward to Sebastian Monesterolo to beat the offside trap and lob the ball over the onrushing keeper from the edge of the area on the right.

Msida had been pinned inside their own half for some time but when they broke out they did not disappoint. On 21 minutes Fenech won possession outside his penalty area and played a long ball forward. The chasing Daniel Nwoke charged past Pace and Nisevic in the Valletta defence and tucked the ball neatly past keeper Sullivan.

The goal injected pace and enthusiasm into Msida's efforts but Valletta restored their lead on the half hour. Agius perforated the entire Msida rearguard with a perfect through ball to Sebastian Monesterolo, who beat Bartolo from a close angle at the near end with another stylish strike.

That lead lasted only three minutes though. Daniel Theuma, playing in an advanced role, connected well on Zongo's cross from the right to head past the keeper at the top corner.

The second half was less exciting although there were half chances at both ends.

An Agius low cross from the right nearly surprised Msida's defender Farrugia who knocked the ball towards goal forcing keeper Bartolo to stretch himself and save on the line.

Then Valletta had a penalty claim turned down after Monesterolo was held inside the area on the point of shooting. On the other end, Theuma, who was through on Nwoke's pass, was pulled down by substitute Barbara outside the area, conceding only a free-kick and a booking.

In added time, Msida created the best chance and nearly won the game when Zongo's cross from the left was headed against the upright at the far end by Nwoke.

But in the final analysis, a draw was a fair result.

Valletta: S.Sullivan, J. Bondin (M. Barbara), S. Pace (C. Camilleri), B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, K. Fenech, C. Mattocks, C. Dean, D. Zarb, S.Monesterolo, G. Agius

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, D. Theuma (K. Ebejer), J. Mifsud, M. Pullicino, T. Farrugia, C. Sciberras, D. Cachia (D. Gatt), P. Fenech, L. Micallef, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo (G. Ancilleri)

Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst. refs: J. Camilleri, S. Tanti 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: S.Monesterolo (2), D. Nwoke, D. Theuma

Yellow cards: J. Bondin, B. Nisevic, M. Pullicino, M. Barbara, P. Fenech, C. Mattocks

Player of the match: Sebastian Monesterolo (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. P. Fenech 2. G. Agius 3. S. Monesterolo