Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, B. Agius, D. Camilleri, G. Agius, S. Giglio (K. Fenech), I. Zammit (K. Magro), F. Temile (D. Falzon), S. Monesterolo
Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa (Y. Bolasie), S. Eboh, D. Krsteski, C. Ciantar, C. Caruana, M. Micallef, C. Cassar, Z. Levniac (R. Darmanin), T. Cilia, M. Brincat
Referee: C. Pisani asst.refs: K. Borg, I. Spiteri 4th official: C. Lautier
Scorers: F. Temile
Yellow cards: Z. Levniac, D. Camilleri, D. Krsteski, F. Temile, T. Cilia, J. Briffa
Player of the match: Frank Temile (Valletta)
TMI top three: 1. S. Giglio 2. J. Mifsud 3. C. Ciantar
Valletta are back on top of the BOV Premier League this morning after beating neighbours Floriana with a Frank Temile first half goal in a low-key derby.
Floriana tried to improve on their dismal run of six winless matches and what better motivation could a derby with neighbours Valletta offer? However this encounter was lamentably lacking of meaningful goalmouth action and never reached the expected heights.
Floriana offered some enterprising resistance we have come to expect when playing against neighbours Valletta, but it was never enough to stop the leaders’ regimental style, showing consistency in the process. Floriana keep playing well but fail to grind out results.
Valletta’s performance yesterday was far from full bodied, but just enough to edge Floriana and retain top spot, following Marsaxlokk’s defeat.
The industrious Bezzina and the creative midfielder Backhaus were sorely missed by Valletta. Coach Paul Zammit gave starts to Bryan Agius, Giglio and Zammit as Falzon was relegated to the bench.
Floriana were also missing the services of their forwards Ryan Darmanin and Yala Bolasie, both starting on the bench and Christian Caruana handed the difficult task to breach the Premier League’s meanest defence.
For the first half, both sides were evenly matched, as Valletta took long to settle and never really threatened to impose themselves on a well organised Floriana.
Krsteski’s free kicks always created some uncomfortable moments for the Valletta rearguard. On one after 26 minutes, Eboh failed to put his effort on target and later, on another Krsteski deep free kick, Manolito was held as he tried to turn inside the area, but his claims for a penalty went unnoticed.
But for most of the time, the game continued to flash from one box to another in a frantic and somewhat scrappy fashion until Valletta broke the deadlock into three minutes of the half’s added time.
Camilleri whipped a free kick from the right which was deflected by Frank Temile’s head against the underside of the bar and over the line, reaching for the ball fractionally before keeper Agius.
Floriana were rattled but still looked unable to overcome the shock upon resumption. Valletta started to find their taste for the game as the second half progressed, with Floriana looking jittery in defence. Monesterolo tried to finish off himself after avoiding two opponents and then Briffa cleared into a corner before Giglio could connect on Monesterolo’s low cross.
Floriana were finding it desperately hard to make real progress and the fuse that had been lit in the first half, fizzled out. On the few occasions they surged forward, Valletta’s defence was generally composed and resolute.
No wonder Floriana coach Doncic made a double substitution on 67 minutes, putting in both Darmanin and Bolasie.
Valletta countered by pulling off Temile and putting in Falzon instead. But all the muscular endevour left little space for quality football and the match was never to be lifted from its tediousness.