VALLETTA 2

BIRKIRKARA 1

Valletta overcame a stern challenge from Birkirkara to win this week’s top clash between ‘old football rivals’ as the Stripes perhaps produced their best performance so far this season.

For long stretches, yesterday’s match resembled the sporting rivalry produced by these teams some years back.

Indeed it was entertaining fare for those who braved the chilly weather at Ta’ Qali.

Both teams were at full strength, with Valletta missing the services of the suspended Josef Mifsud. David Camilleri played in central defence instead as Gilbert Agius played in a retreated deep position in midfield.

To their credit, both teams wanted to win this match. Valletta wanted to extend their lead at the top while Birkirkara need assure themselves of a top-six finish.

As it turned out, the Citizens are now three points clear of Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers, still having to meet the former on the final day of the first phase.

Birkirkara fought gamely for almost an hour and looked capable of taking at least a draw, although Omar Borg was always the busier keeper. They will now meet Floriana next, needing at least a point to go into the Championship Pool.

Both sides produced some enterprising football and although goalless, the first half was played at a high tempo. Both carved out half chances but failed to break the deadlock due to some defensive diligence.

Valletta had began the brighter, forcing a succession of early corners but Birkirkara were far from bystanders, as they crowded their midfield, allowing their opponents little comfort on the ball.

On 20 minutes Valletta keeper Hogg stretched himself to turn Tabone’s grounder into a corner.

Valletta responded with Backhaus serving Monesterolo on the left, who after playing one-two with Zammit, had his shot deflected into a corner.

Midway through the half keeper Borg held out Monesterolo’s shot and past the half hour Tabone’s free kick was well saved by Hogg.

And shortly before the break, Borg blocked Agius’ free kick well before Monesterolo or Giglio could connect. A slow burner was showing signs of combustion. All it needed was a goal.

Both sides went close to scoring soon after the restart. Zammit’s firm header on Monesterolo’s cross was saved by Borg on the line. On the other end, Michael Galea lacked co-ordination when in front of goal and his shot was blocked by the Valletta defence, only for Tabone to hoist the rebound.

The deadlock was finally broken on 58 minutes. Valletta won a free kick, taken by Camilleri near the corner flag on the right and Heiner Backhaus stretched his foot to deflect the ball past keeper Borg.

The goal livened up the match. It had bubbled up excitingly with Valletta pushing forward but with the Stripes dangerous on the break. Tempers flared as well as Birkirkara could not stand defeat.

Sylla went close with a back header but Valletta did not wilt under the Stripes’ momentous pressure.

In fact they still looked menacing on the break and after Borg held out Temile’s effort into a corner, the Stripes’ keeper produced a point blank save on Zammit. The Valletta player procured a penalty on 76 minutes when fouled by Lino Galea inside the area and Sebastian Monesterolo tucked away his 14th league goal from the spot.

Birkirkara’s attempts to fight back again were blocked by Valletta’s solid defence although the leaders conceded a late penalty on the stroke of time when Mallia was floored inside the area. Substitute Mifsud Triganza scored to give his side some temporary hope, but that came too late and Valletta held on for the remaining four minutes of added time, Temile even thwarted by another superb save from keeper Omar Borg.

For all their gallant efforts, Birkirkara were left with nothing to show at the end.

* * *

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, I. Zammit (K. Magro), D. Camilleri, S. Giglio (C. Mattocks), H. Backhaus, G. Agius, F. Temile, S. Monesterolo (D. Falzon)

Birkirkara: O. Borg, L. Galea, T. Paris, P. Fenech, M. Galea, A. Tabone (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), R. Hartvig, S. Bajada (J. Zerafa), D. Sylla, G. Mallia, E. Yanchev

Referee: A.M. Sant Asst. refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: H. Backhaus, S. Monesterolo pen, J. P. Mifsud Triganza pen

Yellow cards: K. Scicluna, J. Grioli, H. Backhaus, R. Hartvig

Player of the match: Gilbert Agius (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. D. Camilleri 2. P. Fenech 3. K. Scicluna