Birkirkara-Valletta 0-1

Birkirkara: M. Fraser, E. Lattes, S. Bajada, N. Vukanac, P. Borg, P. Fenech (I. Babatunde), J. Zerafa (A. Decesare), A. Agius, A. Buhagiar, M. Galea, T. Cilia (K. Pulo)

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

Refeee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, T. Debono 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorer: A. Anderson 36

Yellow cards: A. Agius, D. Dos Santos, J. Zerafa, S. Borg, G. Agius, S. Bajada, P. Fenech Red card: J. Pace

Player of the match: G. Agius (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. G. Agius 2. I. Azzopardi 3. A. Agius

Attendance: 3,618

Not for the first time of late, Valletta exhibited some defensive resilience of which champions are made. Down to ten men for the whole of the second half, the citizens held on to their one-goal lead, scored by Andrade Anderson in a calamitous first half to beat nearest challengers Birkirkara, thanks to their regimental reliable style, effective rather than fancy.

Not only does their unbeaten record remain unblemished, but their lead has increased to seven points over second place Floriana, whom they play next week.

The pressure was always on Birkirkara, who felt they could not afford to slip against the leaders if they were to maintain a potential title challenge.

With their numerical superiority, Birkirkar held the initiative for most of the second half, but they failed to make it count in the face of a galvanised Valletta rearguard.

Both teams recovered key players for this encounter. Valletta had Jamie Pace back, albeit only for 40 minutes when he was sent off for retaliation.

Gilbert Agius was given a start and Edmond Agius kept his place in front of the defence. Andrade Anderson was given the nod as Kevin Sammut was exiled to the bench. Valletta also had Ryan Fenech suspended.

Birkirkara also included Trevor Cilia in their initial line-up after a long lay off, playing wide on the right with Lattes on the left. Angus Buhagiar returned after injury and Shaun Bajada was back after suspension. Andrei Agius started in a holding midfield role, in the absence of Rowen Muscat but then moved back in defence after coach Paul Zammit deemed it right to make some tactical changes in the second half.

Birkirkara, unexpectedly, made the early running. After two minutes, on a Zerafa cross, Cilia shot low and keeper Hogg blocked.

Their build-up was crisp and incisive with an intelligent mixture of long and short passes.

Towards the quarter hour, Birkirkara looked menacing on the break. Galea played the ball wide to Cilia, ran in for the return pass but was late as the Valletta keeper rushed out to block.

Then Valletta were forced to pull off the injured Roderick Briffa and put in Ramon Dos Santos, with Borg moving to the right.

On 19 minutes the champions had claims for a penalty turned down as Agius fell forward inside the area when pulled by Caruana as they chased a long ball forward.

Valletta caught their breath and got straight on with things midway through the half. The Birkirkara keeper Fraser missed the ball on a Gilbert Agius corner and Anderson shot over.

An Anderson overhead kick was blocked by the keeper before Valletta made the breakthrough on 36 minutes.

Gilbert Agius played the ball forward to Scerri whose shot was parried by Fraser and before Borg could clear the loose ball, Andrade Anderson deflected it in with his backside.

As Valletta were about to take a stranglehold on the proceedings, the match took a twist in Birkirkara’s favour five minutes from the break.

Pace, who had been kicked by Bajada, retaliated when he pushed Cilia in the face under the watchful eyes of the assistant. The Valletta midfielder was rightly sent off.

Birkirkara put in Babatunde for Borg for the second half, showing a more attacking intent. Andrei Agius retreated in central defence.

The Nigerian’s header on a Bajada cross was easily saved by keeper Hogg.

Valletta took a much laid back approach and handed the initiative to their opponents.

On 63 minutes, from a Lattes corner, Galea headed the ball towards the middle and Babatunde headed against the bar.

But that was Birkirkara’s only real threat. With Valletta closing the gaps, Birkirkara were unable to find a way past their watertight defence, despite raking several crosses. The industry of Gilbert and Edmond Agius provided good cover while Caruana, Borg and Azzopardi were pillars of strength at the back.

On 69 minutes they put in Temile for Scerri and Valletta had four foreigners in their team for the first time this season.

As the match wore on, Valletta tried to exploit gaps in the Birkirkara rearguard.

Anderson failed to make the best of a Gilbert Agius through ball as he was too slow and the Stripes’ defence could recover.

On 72 minutes, Temile advanced from the left. His effort was deflected into a corner by keeper Fraser.

Although Birkirkara had a powerful Fenech shot repelled by keeper Hogg with nine minutes remaining, the Stripes knew that their time was up.

Valletta should have sealed it in added time. Denni ran through two Birkirkara defenders but, with only the keeper to beat, shot off target to confirm his off day.