Vittoriosa S. 2

Valletta 3

Valletta beat bottom side Vittoriosa Stars to retain their seven-point lead at the top.

The Citizens’ display was more convincing that the final scoreline suggests and their win could have been more comfortable had they not been denied three times by the woodwork in the second half when they were completely over their opponents, down to ten men for more than an hour.

In fact the scoreline flatters Vittoriosa. The Stars were in it for only the first half hour. Trailing Valletta 2-1, they then had Kevin Mifsud sent off and Valletta dominated the second period, although the killer third goal took long to come by as Vittoriosa showed some resilience.

The high work rate of Denni Dos Santos and Kevin Sammut in midfield for Valletta, completely eclipsed Campagnoli, Silva and Dino Cauchi

Vittoriosa had Leighton Grech suspended but they were buoyed by Brazilian Luis Edison’s return after serving a two-match ban.

Valletta were still without Jonathan Caruana and Gilbert Agius, the latter going in as a late substitute, but Ramon Dos Santos returned in defence and Jamie Pace in midfield, partnering Edmond Agius in front of the defence. Temile started the match in the absence of the suspended Dyson Falzon.

For the first half hour, Vittoriosa traded equal punches with their opponents. Although, as expected, Valletta did the early running and had a Sammut shot held out by keeper Agius and then Temile skied the ball on a Briffa cross, Vittoriosa’s willingness to come and play, lent the match a lively opening.

Valletta could benefit from the referee’s benevolent mood as he turned a blind eye when Edison was pulled down as he ran inside the Valletta area on a Vittoriosa promising attack.

Valletta made the breakthrough on 18 minutes. Briffa intelligently found space when pressed on the right flank, and crossed for Denni Dos Santos to chest the ball and beat keeper Agius with a low drive.

Their lead lasted hardly three minutes. Vittoriosa hit back from a Sammut corner from the right. Edison beat keeper Hogg with an unchallenged header.

Valletta regained the lead on 27 minutes. Denni crossed low from the right and Terence Scerri needed just to toe poke the ball in from close range.

But towards the half hour, the match took a twist in Valletta’s favour. Kevin Mifsud’s reckless tackle on Temile earned him a booking but the Vittoriosa midfielder passed some remarks and was instantly sent off.

Coach Winston Muscat deemed it fit not to make any substitutions, retreating Jorge Silva deeper in midfield.

Valletta hardly tried to exploit their numerical superiority and the only real threat before the half was over, came from Briffa’s long free kick which Scerri hit narrowly wide.

But the second half belonged entirely to Valletta. Their slick passing and running had Vittoriosa on the back foot.

On 53 minutes, Denni’s progression from midfield put Temile clear. His shot beat keeper Agius but clipped the foot of the post.

The Vittoriosa shot-stopper repelled Denni’s close range shot before Sammut’s header, beating the keeper, rebounded off the upright.

And the woodwork denied Valletta for the third time on 73 minutes, holding out Agius’ shot from Briffa’s deep cross.

Pace skied the ball from a Denni menacing free kick but Valletta’s goal was inevitable.

It came seven minutes from time. Their best player, Dennis Dos Santos hit in Sammut’s cross past the helpless Agius.

There was still time for substitute Clayton Micallef to score a consolation goal for Vittoriosa, shooting low Silva’s cross from the byeline past the grounded Hogg.

Vittoriosa S S. Agius, K. Sammut, S. Pace, J. Chetcuti (A. El Khassasi), C. Campagnoli, L. Edison, D. Cachia (J. Xerri), K. Mifsud, J.Silva, A. Ewurum (C. Micallef), S. Wellman

Coach: W. Muscat

Valletta A. Hogg, R. Briffa, R. Dos Santos, S. Borg, I. Azzopardi, E. Agius, J. Pace (G. Agius), K. Sammut, O. Temile (J. Okonkwo), D. Dos Santos, T. Scerri

Coach: J. Zerafa

Referee P. Caruana

Asst.refs T. Debono, W. Debattista

4th official G. Tonna

Scorers D. Dos Santos 18, 83, L. Edison 21, T. Scerri 27, C. Micallef 90

Yellow cards J. Pace, K. Mifsud, D. Dos Santos, S. Wellman, O. Temile, I. Azzopardi

Red cards K. Mifsud

Player of the match: D. Dos Santos (Valletta)

TMI top 3 1. D. Dos Santos 2. K. Sammut 3. R. Briffa

Attendance 994