Valletta returned to winning form against Sliema on Saturday after having been held to a goalless draw by Marsaxlokk the previous week.
After an encouraging start by Sliema, Valletta took almost complete control and after Terence Scerri gave them the lead, it was obvious where the three points were going.
Even when Sliema reduced the arrears just before the interval from a penalty, in the second half, the Blues did not produce the goods they required to save the game as City continued to dominate, scoring two further goals in the process, two from newcomer Fenech and another from top scorer Scerri.
Before Saturday’s match and soon after Fenech’s transfer, some fans questioned the wisdom of Valletta and the player himself, on such a move saying that it would be difficult for him to find his place in a side already well equipped.
But Fenech quickly responded to those critics with a superb performance that included two picture goals. He has already made a big impact on his debut and should help his side consolidate top spot till the end of the season with a certain amount of ease.
For Sliema, it was a completely different story. After an encouraging start in which they also went near twice to opening the scoring, they fizzled out to a superior outfit and rarely did they appear capable of forcing their way back into the match.
This defeat has made it even more difficult for the Blues to make it to the Top Six, more so after Qormi’s 1-0 win over Hibernians in the previous match.
The Blues are now forced to win their last two first phase matches and hoping Hamrun, Qormi or Marsaxlokk miss the bus to go through or force a decider.
The Yellow Blacks did well to beat lowly Hibernians by a solitary goal – a defeat which has definitely condemned the Paolites to play in the Relegation Pool when the second phase arrives.
Qormi richly merited their win, but had they lost two points or all of them, it would have only been their fault. In the first half, they dominated their opponents and missed a good number of chances before they eventually took the lead.
In the second half, they reduced the tempo and Hibs tried to come back into the match, but Miller’s side appeared to be resigned to their fate. As has already been said before, Hibernians will have to play much and much better if they are to avoid trouble in the second phase.
On the other hand, the three points have enabled Qormi to overtake Sliema – from eighth to seventh place – and they still entertain hopes of making it to the Top Six, possibly at the expense of Hamrun Spartans.
The latter once again ended on the losing end on Friday evening as they lost their match against Marsaxlokk 3-2.
This victory enabled Marsaxlokk to make a strong step forward in their efforts to finish among the Top Six. The southern seasiders now have 22 points and mathematically need just two points to be there, always if Sliema and Qormi win their remaining two matches.
Patrick Curmi’s boys fought back admirably to come back from behind to control a match which appeared to be difficult till the end of the first half.
For the Spartans, it was their fourth consecutive defeat and they remain in sixth place on 19 points, just two ahead of Qormi and three above Sliema.
Luck seems to have deserted the Spartans in their final matches and nothing seems to be going right for them. But they will do well to keep fighting till the very end.
Playing for the first time without Ryan Fenech, the Spartans appeared to be doing well in the first half. But it was in the second half that his absence was sorely missed, that is, when Marsaxlokk took control of midfield.
The match between Floriana and Tarxien Rainbows on Sunday was another direct clash, this time between Valletta’s most immediate challengers.
The Rainbows deservedly won the three points to overtake the Greens and move to second place, one point ahead of Floriana.
Tarxien were in impressive form and inspired by some excellent goalkeeping from David Cassar, they outplayed their opponents and took a healthy 3-0 lead thanks to good goals from Cristiano dos Santos Rodrigues (2) and Daniel Mariano Bueno.
This defeat was something of a setback for Floriana whose target for this season has clearly become the second or third place for a place in next season’s Europa League.
It is true that Raykov’s side was frustrated by goalie Cassar between Tarxien’s posts, but it was evident that they missed the services of midfielders Cassar and Doffo, but especially those of injured Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke up front.
Birkirkara remained in the hunt for the second place with a narrow – albeit deserved – 1-0 win over bottom placed Vittoriosa Stars.
The Stripes introduced newcomers Andrei Agius and Brazilian striker Rodolfo ‘Alemao’ among their ranks, but it was Agius who made the first impact as he scored the goal that eventually proved to be the winner.
It was a perfect start for the Malta defender, on loan till the end of the season. But the Stripes still have to improve on how they should close a match earlier without leaving their opponents with a chance to spoil their applecart.
Vittoriosa nearly did that in the final stages of the match and it had to be Scottish goalkeeper Fraser who saved the day and the three points for the champions.
Best player
Ryan Fenech
(Valletta)
City’s brand newcomer Ryan Fenech from Hamrun could not have had a better start at his new club, producing one of his best performances in Maltese football ever to help the citizens win comfortably 4-1.
It was not only his performance which convinced me to pick him as the best player the past weekend. His two well-taken goals, especially his second and City’s third, were a delight to watch.
It is not enough to say that Fenech was the main inspiration behind his team-mates on Saturday. On such form, he is bound to consolidate his place in the City side.
Top scorers
14 goals T. Scerri (Valletta)
9 goals G. Spiteri (Hamrun S.)
8 goals A. Effiong (Marsaxlokk) , D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta)
6 goals I. Woods (Floriana), E. Lattes (Birkirkara), A. Ewurum (Vittoriosa S.), D. Nwoke (Floriana), D. Mariano Bueno, C. Dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien R.)
5 goals JP Mifsud Triganza, J. Lima (Sliema), K. Sammut (Valletta), P. McManus (Hibernians), M. Grima (Hamrun S.)
Next matches
Friday 4 February
(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)
7.30pm Marsaxlokk-Vittoriosa S.
Saturday 5 February
(at National Stadium)
2pm Birkirkara-Qormi
4pm Valletta-Hamrun S.
Sunday 6 February
(at Hibernians Stadium)
2pm Floriana-Sliema W.
4pm Hibernians-Tarxien R.