Valletta 1

Mosta 0

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, A. Effiong (R. Fenech), R. Briffa, J. Pace, E. Agius, G. Agius, W. Barbosa, D. Dos Santos, O. Zongo

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, F. Tisbi, Y. Ossok, N. Bogdanovic, S. Grech, J. Bajada (A. Cini), K. Magro, F. Aboulezz, M. Mvondo

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, D. Sultana

4th official: M. Spiteri

Scorer: O. Zongo 4

Yellow cards: A. Borg, N. Bogdanovic

Player of the match: Roderick Briffa (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. R. Briffa 2. N. Bogdanovic 3. J. Debono

Attendance: 1,312

Valletta snatched a precious win over bottom side Mosta, thanks to Oussain Zongo’s early goal, to open a six-point lead over Hibernians, who slipped against Balzan Youths on Friday.

Valletta’s control on the game was never in doubt but the victory put some excessive gloss on their shoddy performance, which brought much disgruntling even from their own fans. The leaders’ play lacked the invention, pace and penetration to break down Mosta’s defence after the early lead and the match was forgotten long before the floodlights were turned off at Ta’ Qali.

Steve Borg was missing through suspension and Jamie Pace played as centre back alongside Jonathan Caruana instead. Gilbert Agius started in midfield and William Barbosa returned from suspension, playing instead of the injured Dyson Falzon.

Mosta might have been buoyed by two draws and a win, with three clean sheets in as many matches under coach Steve D’Amato.

But yesterday they were handicapped with suspensions to Ian Zammit and Bryan Agius as well as injuries to Luca Martinelli and Gilbert Martin. Mosta were even less imaginative in attack as they made rare forays forward. This defeat leaves the newly promoted side anchored at the bottom.

Valletta’s early goal after only four minutes, albeit scored in a fortuitous manner, might have promised a goal deluge. Oussain Zongo’s cross shot from the right was missed by everybody and the ball somehow ended behind keeper Debono’s back.

But Mosta did not lose their composure, even if Valletta enjoyed the better share of possession, to concede no more goals.

Zongo mishit Effiong’s cross and past the half hour Barbosa rolled the ball wide to Effiong whose shot was blocked by the keeper’s feet.

With halftime looming, Valletta went close to increasing their lead. Briffa played the ball back from the byeline towards Gilbert Agius who thumped his shot against the bar. And on another Briffa cross, Denni headed narrowly over.

Immediately after the resumption, Mosta had the first real chance of the match. Mvondo ran inside the Valletta area, went past Pace but put his final shot off target.

Towards the hour, Edmond Agius failed to put his head to Briffa’s cross. On the other end, Bajada was allowed too much space and time to control a long ball inside the Valletta area and shot from near the byeline but keeper Hogg blocked.

On 65 minutes, Valletta went close again when Edmond Agius drove one of his menacing free kicks from the right. Keeper Debono held out Gilbert Agius’ firm header with a smart save and then Barbosa shot the loose ball wide.

With Mosta retreating deeper and defending in numbers, Valletta started to mount some belated sustained pressure. Ryan Fenech went in for Effiong but Valletta could still not find space in their opponents’ crowded area.

In a frantic finish, Hogg rushed off his line in time to just tip Bogdanovic’s insidious free kick but Mosta were unable to deny Valletta, who closed out the tie with minimum fuss.