Football – Bank Of Valletta first division: Vittoriosa claim derby with second half goals

Malta Independent Monday, 28 January 2008, 00:00 Last update: about 14 years ago

Vittoriosa scored two second half goals to claim the Cottonera derby and reach the same St George’s in the standings. Evi Parker’s return after serving a three-month suspension proved to be the winning trump for the Stars as they dominated the second half after a boring first period.

A re-scuffled Vittoriosa side showed the better ideas in the second as Evi Parker scored the opener and was instrumental in the second goal. St. George’s failed miserably in this derby, and must have disappointed their numerous fans present yesterday. This was the second defeat for St. George’s against rivals from Cottonera, having also succumbed to leaders Senglea.

St. George’s had a promising start with Anizoba missing a sitter in the first minute and on the other side Timothy Thomas tested Andrea Gatt who dived to save the dangerous shot.

After this start the sizeable crowd present for this derby must have regretted their presence at the Hamrun Ground as the match progressed in a boring affair with both sides unable to free their scorers in front of goal.

Vittoriosa’s Leighton Grech did his best to upset Jesmond Delia with his speed, but was never menacing. Evi Parker was making his return for the Stars after serving a long suspension.

St. George’s strikers Peter Anizoba and Glenn Barry were never in the match, and the Vittoriosa defence without Ivan Zammit, was never threatened.

On the resumption Evi Parker had a good solo effort on the left but his angled shot missed the target. However on 52 minutes Vittoriosa took the lead when Evi Parker beat the offside trap dribbled past Gatt to hit home in an empty net.

St George’s failed to react as Vittoriosa continued to show the better ideas, with Evi Parker denied by Gatt who blocked his close range header following an Adami kross.

On 70 minutes Gatt again came to his side’s rescue when he dived to block a Timothy Thomas shot. Vittoriosa were now in full command and sealed the issue with seven minutes to go when substitute Lucien Scerri slammed the ball at the back of the net, after goalkeeper Gatt had blocked Evi Parker’s attempt.