Valletta won the Super Cup yesterday with a goal in each half, comfortably beating Birkirkara in a match which rarely rose above the mediocre.

In the first competitive match of the 2008/09 season, Championship winners Valletta faced of against FA Trophy winners Birkirkara in what could be termed as the eternal clash of local football. The debilitating heat of the evening however meant that only a few hundred supporters from either side turned up for the encounter.

The Lilywhites fielded a somewhat reduced line-up although the attacking stalwarts such as Ian Zammit, Dyson Falzon and to a lesser extent Gilbert Agius and Jamie Pace. The Lilywhites also had Luke Dimech suspended whilst Birkirkara were still without their second foreign player.

Both sides took some time to settle down with the long ball rather prevalent in the opening 15 minutes.

The first action took place after five minutes when Mifsud Triganza shot towards Vella from a good position but the City keeper saved with his legs. On 12 minutes, Zerafa floated a dangerous ball into the box but Vella was again alert.

Valletta replied on 14 minutes with a good cross by Giglio which however came to nothing as the ball was cleared for a corner. The match then went into a considerable lull with both sides taking a pretty relaxed view of things and rarely attempting to venture forward.

But it was the Lilywhites who took the lead on 29 minutes when a fine corner by Giglio found Jamie Pace who headed imperiously home past the hapless Borg.

Birkirkara were unlucky not to equalize on the 40 minute mark when a header from Mifsud Triganza hit the crossbar.

The second half began with Birkirkara trying to get back on level terms but they seemed to lack penetration. George Mallia was pretty busy in midfield and on 53 minutes he nearly put Mifsud Triganza in the clear but Vella was timely in coming out and gathering the ball.

A minute later, Alan Tabone claimed a penalty but he was waved away by the referee.

Valletta countered on 55 minutes but Agius' low cross was easily collected by Borg

in the Birkirkara goal. Coach John Buttigig brought on Trevor Cilia to inject fresh pace into the Stripes' attack as Paul Zammit brought on Prso Doding to protect his team's lead.

The Lilywhites almost doubled on the hour when Stephen Bezzina's thundering shot was brilliantly saved by Omar Borg.

Although Bikirkara were the more attacking minded side, the chances kept falling to Valletta who appeared more threatening with their counters.

An Agius cross on 76 minutes had to be cleared by George Mallia with Pace lurking in the background. Jamie Pace should have settled it for Valletta on 81 minutes when he shot wide from a completely clear position.

However the Lilywhites did not have long to wait as a few seconds later, Agius squared to Stefan Giglio who made no mistake, slotting into the net from close range. It was all over by then.