Valletta again exhibited their resilience of which champions are made yesterday, coming back from a goal down to score twice within ten minutes in the last quarter hour for a victory which restored their four-point advantage over Birkirkara at the top of the Premier League.

Nearest challengers Marsaxlokk may feel aggrieved for losing this match, in which they played the more attractive football and created the better chances. But they missed them galore, even a late penalty, and finally were punished by their opponents.

After taking the lead early in the second half, they could have closed the match on several occasions but their profligacy allowed Valletta to make a remarkable comeback and win the match. By virtue of this defeat, Marsaxlokk are this morning five points behind the leaders. Although not unassailable, it is now hard to make up for the lost ground with five matches remaining.

Valletta did not perform at their best and often looked uncomfortable with the champions’ slick passing and fast breaks. But Giglio’s inclusion and some tactical changes in the second half proved to be coach Zammit’s winning card.

But it was a highly charged and entertaining match with plenty of scoring opportunities and some superb goalkeeping from both sides.

Both teams had a key player missing. Cleaven Frendo for Marsaxlokk while Temile was suspended for Valletta.

Both sides stamped hard on the throttle and that lended the match an enterprising start. Marsaxlokk’s keeper Debono was immediately called to rush off his line to block Monesterolo, deflecting the ball into a corner.

Valletta went close after seven minutes. Agius’ shot from the edge of the area was held out by the woodwork before Marsaxlokk came up with a threat of their own. Camenzuli’s free kick was held out by keeper Hogg, the loose ball fell to Sammut, whose goalbound effort was turned superbly into a corner by the Valletta custodian.

Marsaxlokk kept up the tempo and soon Hogg footed out Madzar’s close effort into another corner. Until the half hour, Marsaxlokk kept the initiative with Valletta closing down well at the back.

But then Valletta regained the upperhand, themselves going close with Zammit’s through ball to Monesterolo inside the area but he shot feebly in the keeper’s safe hands.

Marsaxlokk looked menacing from a set piece as Madzar’s free kick was saved by Hogg with some difficulty, before they were forced to substitute the injured Alcorse with Licari on the stroke of halftime.

Valletta started the second half in lively fashion. Monesterolo rose high to connect on a deep cross from left but keeper Debono tipped the ball into a corner.

The deadlock was broken on 55 minutes. Conceicao intelligently exploited open space on the right flank with his surging run and crossed perfectly from the byeline for Peter Pullicino to shoot in past Hogg.

To their credit Valletta were not demoralised and hit back immediately. Bezzina clipped the bar with his effort before they substituted Falzon with Giglio.

That would finally turn the game on its head but not before Valletta could survive some scares as Marsaxlokk fluffed chances time and again. Licari shot straight on the keeper when put clear by Sammut. Then Madzar beat Grioli in the air but skied the bouncing ball with a gaping goal in front of him. Madzar squandered another chance on 67 minutes, shooting over when clear on Pullicino’s pass.

On 70 minutes Valletta went close to levelling matters with a dangerous corner from the right. Bezzina’s header was blocked by keeper Debono but Backhaus shot the loose ball wide.

Licari wasted another chance for Marsaxlokk and they paid dearly for it in the last quarter hour.

Valletta’s comeback started on 74 minutes. Stefan Giglio ran in from the blind side on the right, connecting on Agius’ pass, to shoot past the helpless Debono, despite Mamo’s tackle. On 83 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Bezzina fell under Conceicao’s challenge as they both chased the ball inside the area. Sebastian Monesterolo coolly beat Debono from the spot to put Valletta in front for the first time in the match.

Marsaxlokk were handed a lifeline with three minutes remaining as the referee noticed a holding on Pullicino inside the crowded Valletta area and awarded the penalty to the champions. But Licari chipped his effort against the crossbar as the ball was booted into a corner and the final chance went to waste amidst the disappointment of the Marsaxlokk fans.

* * *

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, I. Zammit (J. Bondin), D. Camilleri, H. Backhaus, D. Falzon (S. Giglio), G. Agius, S. Monesterolo (B. Agius)

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, W. Camenzuli, R. Conceicao, C. Mamo, P. Pullicino, T. Templeman, C. Magro, J. Pace, K. Sammut, J. Alcorse (M Licari), A. Madzar

Referee: A.M. Sant asst.refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: P. Pullicino, S. Giglio, S. Monesterolo pen

Yellow cards: J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, T. Templeman, G. Agius, M. Licari

Player of the match: Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. K. Sammut 2. J. Pace 3. S. BezzinaSILVIO VELLA

Valletta again exhibited their resilience of which champions are made yesterday, coming back from a goal down to score twice within ten minutes in the last quarter hour for a victory which restored their four-point advantage over Birkirkara at the top of the Premier League.

Nearest challengers Marsaxlokk may feel aggrieved for losing this match, in which they played the more attractive football and created the better chances. But they missed them galore, even a late penalty, and finally were punished by their opponents.

After taking the lead early in the second half, they could have closed the match on several occasions but their profligacy allowed Valletta to make a remarkable comeback and win the match. By virtue of this defeat, Marsaxlokk are this morning five points behind the leaders. Although not unassailable, it is now hard to make up for the lost ground with five matches remaining.

Valletta did not perform at their best and often looked uncomfortable with the champions’ slick passing and fast breaks. But Giglio’s inclusion and some tactical changes in the second half proved to be coach Zammit’s winning card.

But it was a highly charged and entertaining match with plenty of scoring opportunities and some superb goalkeeping from both sides.

Both teams had a key player missing. Cleaven Frendo for Marsaxlokk while Temile was suspended for Valletta.

Both sides stamped hard on the throttle and that lended the match an enterprising start. Marsaxlokk’s keeper Debono was immediately called to rush off his line to block Monesterolo, deflecting the ball into a corner.

Valletta went close after seven minutes. Agius’ shot from the edge of the area was held out by the woodwork before Marsaxlokk came up with a threat of their own. Camenzuli’s free kick was held out by keeper Hogg, the loose ball fell to Sammut, whose goalbound effort was turned superbly into a corner by the Valletta custodian.

Marsaxlokk kept up the tempo and soon Hogg footed out Madzar’s close effort into another corner. Until the half hour, Marsaxlokk kept the initiative with Valletta closing down well at the back.

But then Valletta regained the upperhand, themselves going close with Zammit’s through ball to Monesterolo inside the area but he shot feebly in the keeper’s safe hands.

Marsaxlokk looked menacing from a set piece as Madzar’s free kick was saved by Hogg with some difficulty, before they were forced to substitute the injured Alcorse with Licari on the stroke of halftime.

Valletta started the second half in lively fashion. Monesterolo rose high to connect on a deep cross from left but keeper Debono tipped the ball into a corner.

The deadlock was broken on 55 minutes. Conceicao intelligently exploited open space on the right flank with his surging run and crossed perfectly from the byeline for Peter Pullicino to shoot in past Hogg.

To their credit Valletta were not demoralised and hit back immediately. Bezzina clipped the bar with his effort before they substituted Falzon with Giglio.

That would finally turn the game on its head but not before Valletta could survive some scares as Marsaxlokk fluffed chances time and again. Licari shot straight on the keeper when put clear by Sammut. Then Madzar beat Grioli in the air but skied the bouncing ball with a gaping goal in front of him. Madzar squandered another chance on 67 minutes, shooting over when clear on Pullicino’s pass.

On 70 minutes Valletta went close to levelling matters with a dangerous corner from the right. Bezzina’s header was blocked by keeper Debono but Backhaus shot the loose ball wide.

Licari wasted another chance for Marsaxlokk and they paid dearly for it in the last quarter hour.

Valletta’s comeback started on 74 minutes. Stefan Giglio ran in from the blind side on the right, connecting on Agius’ pass, to shoot past the helpless Debono, despite Mamo’s tackle. On 83 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Bezzina fell under Conceicao’s challenge as they both chased the ball inside the area. Sebastian Monesterolo coolly beat Debono from the spot to put Valletta in front for the first time in the match.

Marsaxlokk were handed a lifeline with three minutes remaining as the referee noticed a holding on Pullicino inside the crowded Valletta area and awarded the penalty to the champions. But Licari chipped his effort against the crossbar as the ball was booted into a corner and the final chance went to waste amidst the disappointment of the Marsaxlokk fans.