Msida SJ-Valletta 2-2

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, L. Micallef, P. Sciriha, D. Cachia (G. Ancilleri), R. Baldacchino, A. Farrugia, K. Ebejer, P. Fenech (N. Bouvet), S. Bajada, M. Ellul (R. Montebello), I. Babatunde

Valletta: M. Montfort, J. Grioli, M. Grima, S. Bezzina, M. Barbara, U. Edafe (D. Camilleri), K. Magro, D. Falzon, D. Zarb (K. Fenech), G. Agius, R. Siberie (I. Zammit)

Referee: C. Pisani Asst refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: I. Miller

Scorer: I. Babatunde (2), R. Siberie pen, K. Magro

Yellow cards: K. Ebejer, P. Fenech, A. Farrugia, I. Zammit

Player of the match: Ibrahim Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI Top 3: 1. G. Agius, 2. M. Bartolo, 3. K. Magro

For the fourth time this season Valletta and Msida St Joseph played a draw between them in an entertaining match, devoid of any bearing on the final standings.

Msida took a two-goal lead by the first 50 minutes but Valletta fought back to erase the deficit and earn a more than deserved draw as they were denied by the woodwork and some superb goalkeeping by Manuel Bartolo, deputising for Borg.

With Birkirkara winning on Friday, this match served no more purpose for Valletta who, like their opponents, opted to drop some regulars yesterday, with both teams eyeing next week’s U*BET FA Trophy semi-finals.

However both sets of players fought gamely enough in a flowing first half during which Msida took the lead after 12 minutes as Ibrahim Babatunde galloped from half pitch and beat reserve keeper Montfort with some intelligent footwork before slotting the ball into a gaping goal. Despite Valletta’s protests, the assistant’s flag stayed down and the goal stood.

Valletta created enough chances to deserve at least a draw. Edafe headed Agius’ free-kick over the bar and then Agius won a good ball inside the Msida half, put Siberie clear, but the Valletta striker hoisted the ball from an ideal position.

Just before the break, Siberie headed down an inviting ball to Agius but keeper Bartolo was alert to repel the Valletta skipper’s powerful shot.

Valletta kept up the pressure after the interval and a Falzon inswinging free-kick was deflected by the keeper against the upright.

However Msida scored again on 50 minutes after a smart build-up. The dangerous Ebejer sent a deep cross from the right for the advancing Farrugia who crossed again for Ibrahim Babatunde to head in.

The post again came to Msida’s rescue, holding out Agius’ shot on 56 minutes and then a top rate save from Bartolo on Grioli’s arrow-like shot denied Valletta again.

Towards the hour though, Magro was floored by Baldacchino inside the Msida area and Valletta were awarded a clear penalty which Richmar Siberie tucked away to cut the deficit.

The teams were level on 62 minutes when Kurt Magro beat keeper Bartolo with a spectacular glancing header on Agius’s corner as Valletta looked by far the more dominant side.

Bartolo again footed out efforts by Agius and substitute Zammit while Msida threatened with a Montebello rasping shot which was deflected into a corner as the stalemate prevailed till the end.