Valletta managed to beat Marsaxlokk for the first time this season in their fourth attempt, even if they had to wait till the penalty shoot-out which they won 4-3. Valletta’s hero was surely Saviour Darmanin who saved two penalties in the shootout to put the Valletta supporters in delirium.

The match although never reaching great heights was pulsating especially in the last portion and in extra time. The last minutes were real cup-tie drama with both sides in search of the winning goal.

Actually it was a pity that someone had to leave the field a loser - but the knock out competition leaves no room for such pity and in the end the penalties had to decide a winner.

Both sides were practically at full strength, with the leaders without Frendo and Schembri both relegated to the bench. Marsaxlokk had Dimech, Magro, Licari and Mamo at the back, Sammut, Sciberras and Pace in midfield to support Doda, Bogdanovic and Udo Nwoko. The latter was the real danger for the Valletta defence with his dribblings that almost sent the Valletta reeling at times.

Paul Zammit fielded Massimo Grima and Nisevic as central defenders with Bondin and Forace on the flanks. Gilbert Agius, Siberie and Falzon tried to spearhead Valletta’s attack but many a times these three were isolated from the midfield sector, with Ian Zammit failing to make an impact.

The first attempt at goal came only mid way through the first half with Bogdanovic testing Darmanin from long range. On 28 minutes from a Sammut corner, Carlo Mamo’s header hit the crossbar, and two minutes later Nwoko was denied by a great Darmanin save.

On 34 minutes Valletta finally managed to try and test Gauci with a Siberie-Falzon move with the latter’s shot going high.

On 37 minutes Siberie received a long ball from his goalkeeper but his feeble attempt did not worry Gauci.

Near the end Gilbert Agius had a good effort going slightly wide and on the other end Daniel Bogdanovic’s run was only halted by an alert Darmanin in the Valletta goal.

The second started even at a slower pace but on 57 minutes Zammit broke the ice serving Agius whose shot slightly missed the base of the upright. A minute later Nwoko danced inside the Lillywhites penalty area and his diagonal shot was cleared by Edafe with Darmanin out of range.

On 77 minutes Siberie was pulled down inside the area with Valletta appealing for a penalty but the referee awarded a freekick just outside the area. From this freekick taken by Grima, Gauci dived to turn to a corner.

The match dragged on into extra time with Andre Schembri missing in front of goal following a Bogdanovic cross. Bogdanovic again created havoc in the Citizens defence but Frendo’s and Schembri’s shots were somehow blocked. The final minutes failed to produce scoring chances and the match had to decided by penalties.

Valletta custodian Saviour Darmanin saved shots from Pace and Bogdanovic, with Licari, Frendo and Sammut scoring for the league leaders.

For Valletta Camilleri missed their only penalty when he shot wide. Grima, Fenech, and Siberie scored from the spot with captain Agius securing the last and decisive kick that promoted Valletta.

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Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Bondin, M. Grima, B. Nisevic, R. Forace, I. Zammit (J. Grioli), U. Edafe (K. Fenech), D. Camilleri, D. Falzon (S. Bezzina), G. Agius, R. Siberie.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, M. Licari, L. Dimech, C. Magro (K. Mamo), G. Sciberras, J. Pace, K. Sammut, U. Nwoko (C. Frendo), H. Doda (A. Schembri), D. Bogdanovic.

Referee: A. Zammit, Asst. Refs: K. Borg, I. Spiteri, 4th official: C. Pisani

Yellow cards: L. Dimech, M. Licari, U. Edafe, G. Sciberras.