Michael Mifsud makes sure Valletta reach milestone

Mosta 0

Valletta 3

Valletta’s unbeaten run was never in danger yesterday. Courtesy of this easy win against Mosta, the Citizens have extended their invincibility to 37 league matches to equal Hibernians’ record of the early eighties and reach another milestone in the club’s history.

Valletta have edged two points ahead of nearest rivals Hibernians after this result. The two teams meet next week.

The gulf between Valletta and Mosta, separated by eight points before kick-off, was evident almost throughout, as the match was too one-sided to be considered a contest. Mosta were unable to counter Valletta’s primacy although they fought gamely for almost half an hour. But ultimately sheer ability told. The Valletta side, featuring four forwards and plenty of width, could prey on their opponents’ vulnerability, showing indefatigability in the process.

Valletta had injured defender Ian Azzopardi missing but did not change any of their tactical imposition, with Dyson Falzon starting as left back.

Mosta made some minor changes after their draw against Balzan Youths. They gave a debut to their eighth foreigner this season – Brazilian Mello da Silva, who started wide on the flank, instead of Rivelino Petriaggi, while Adrian Borg replaced the injured Gilbert Martin.

Cautious and composed at the back, Mosta resisted for almost half an hour as Valletta were denied progression into enemy territory.

Mosta had their moments in the early stages. Mello da Silva forced keeper Hogg to save his shot into a corner after three minutes and past the quarter hour Hogg rushed off his line to block Mvondo inside the area.

That was when Mosta managed to hold to possession and trouble the Valletta rearguard.

The champions had created only one real goalscoring opportunity before breaking the deadlock. On five minutes, Mifsud ran in for Effiong’s testing cross from the right, keeper Zammit dropped the ball but recovered on time to block into corner Denni’s shot on the rebound.

But there was no denying Valletta on 28 minutes. Denni went past Ossok through the middle, played the ball wide to Michael Mifsud who shot in to score his first league goal for Valletta.

After that it was all Valletta. Past the half hour, another cohesive move started by Briffa and involving four other players, led to Denni taking possession on the left. He twisted and turned before shooting from a tight angle. Keeper Zammit turned into a corner.

With halftime looming, the Mosta keeper was again called to turn Effiong’s shot over the bar.

The pattern in the second half did not change. Valletta held the initiative, creating half chances, in search of a more assuring advantage. On Barbosa’s cross, keeper Zammit anticipated Mifsud as he tried to head in. Falzon’s free kick had nobody connecting, until Barbosa lofted the ball from a promising position.

Mosta’s hopes of salvation were further wounded on 55 minutes when Kane Farrugia bundled Effiong inside the Mosta area, as he chased a through ball, to concede a penalty which Michael Mifsud tucked away with a rising shot.

Mifsud made way for Gilbert Agius on the hour.

Valletta still remained potent going forward. Effiong played the ball to Denni who was off balance but still managed to shoot, with Zammit turning into a corner.

On 67 minutes, Valletta scored their third. Effiong did all the work from the byeline on the right. His effort was partially blocked, but he played the ball back to William Barbosa to score with a rasping grounder.

With the points virtually secured, Valletta also put in Zongo for Barbosa and gave ten minutes of playing time to reserve keeper Yenz Cini. The latter was never troubled though. Mosta had long been resigned to their fate as they remain hooked to the bottom of the standings, together with Hamrun Spartans and Tarxien Rainbows.

Mosta G. Zammit, L. Martinelli, K. Farrugia, A. Mello da Silva (S. Grech), N. Bogdanovic, I. Zammit, K. Magro, A. Cini, M. Mvondo (F. Aboulezz), A. Borg, Y. Ossok

Coach O. Spiteri

Valletta A. Hogg (Y. Cini), J. Caruana, S. Borg, A. Effiong, R. Briffa, J. Pace, E. Agius, D. Falzon, D. Dos Santos, W. Barbosa (O. Zongo), M. Mifsud (G. Agius)

Coach J. Zerafa

Referee M. Spiteri

Asst.refs K. Borg, M. Debono

4th official C. Pisani

Scorers M. Mifsud 28, 55 pen, W. Barbosa 67

Yellow cards D. Falzon

Player of the match Denni Dos Santos (Valletta)

TMI top 3 1. D. Dos Santos 2. A. Effiong 3. R. Briffa

Attendance 1743