League leaders Msida maintained sole leadership but were forced todrop their first points yesterday against a gallant and depleted Valletta side. The four-goal match was interesting to watch and both teams gave their all, but maybe something more was expected.

Undoubtedly the absence of Daniel Nwoke for Msida and Monesterolo for Valletta was a great handicap for the match, and these two would have surely added the much needed spice to the game.

Msida had a brilliant start forging early ahead but Valletta’s youngsters came back slowly in the game even going ahead at the start of the second half. But Msida rallied back to obtained a more than deserved equaliser.

Babatunde was a span above the rest, but others like Zongo, Fenech, Cachia, and Pullicino for Msida, and Zammit, Camilleri, Uzeh, Magro and Bondin for Valletta were surely in splendid form yesterday. In the last part of the match Massimo Grima made a welcome return for Valletta, and this could be some good news for the City mentor Paul Zammit.

Although Msida dropped their first points, they should not be disappointed as yesterday they confirmed once and for all that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Valletta had four key players missing from their line up whilst Msida were without star striker Daniel Nwoke, who was suspended. Coach Patrick Curmi put Dino Cachia in Daniel Nwoke's place, with Babatunde taking the main striker role. Dino Cachia was employed on the right and Baldacchino as usual on the left. The returning Zongo played just behind Babatunde. For the rest Msida's set up was practically the same as in the last outings.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit had more problems to solve having to start without top scorer Sebastian Monesterolo, defenders Branco Nisevic and Rennie Forace and youngster Dyson Falzon. Dylan Zarb had to fill the gap left by the Argentinian star, David Camilleri left the midfield role to partner Bezzina in the central defence position. Jonathan Bondin was shifted to the left and Grioli was romped in on the right flank. Keith Fenech and Kurt Magro joined Uzeh and Zammit to form the midfield quartet.

Msida's start was impressive as they forged ahead after only four minutes with a brilliant Zongo initiative that ripped the Valletta defence apart and Babatunde beat Darmanin with a great diagonal. Msida's pressing and their early goal left the Citizens gasping as they failed to make an impact.

In fact Valletta's first tame attempts at goal came midway through the first half with an Ian Zammit slalom who was stopped after he dribbled past a good number of Msida players. Slowly but surely Valletta started to move better in midfield as Msida released their grip, and on 31 minutes Valletta equalised. A long Magro ball found a gaping hole in the Msida defence and Zarb's shot gave Borg no chance.

The match now came to life, Babatunde outsped Bezzina on the right but Zongo blasted high his team mate's cross. Three minutes from time David Camilleri floated a good free-kick for Gilbert Agius whose header was well saved by Borg.

Valletta started the second half on a top note taking the lead on 46 minutes. Gilbert Agius gave a good through ball to Ian Zammit who darted inside the area beat Omar Borg who tripped the Valletta player and in romped who shot home from close range. For the first time this season the league leaders were a goal behind and Babatunde created a good opportunity six minutes later but shot over the bar. The same Babatunde had another impressive run but Pullicino shot well over the bar.

On 62 minutes Msida obtained the equaliser. Credit goes to Dino Cachia whose pass opened up the Valletta rearguard and Zongo passed to the unmarked Babatunde who easily tapped the ball in. Valletta went close again with a good Ian Zammit run but his shot went wide. On 71 minutes Valletta's Saviour Darmanin saved his side with a brilliant save off a Zongo close range shot.

With both sides tired out the match became more exciting as the defences started to give in easily. Four minutes from time Borg blocked Zammit's dipper as both teams seemed happy with the deserved point earned.