Valletta returned to winning ways for the first time in six league matches and yesterday’s victory, although nothing to shout about, served them more than one purpose. With Birkirkara dropping points against Rabat Ajax in the previous match, Valletta have pushed themselves back to the summit and that in itself might help restore the faith of their faithfuls who did not turn up in full force yesterday.

 It was also a victory against a team like Qormi, with former Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa in charge, running into some conspicuously fine form of late.

Rain had stopped by the time this second match kicked off, although the surface was wet.

Still, Valletta failed to please their disgruntled fans in the first half and made desperately heavy weather of a contest, ultimately won by second half goals scored by below par performers, Denni Dos Santos and Leandro Almeida. The Citizens’ starting line-up included Ian Zammit, Kurt Magro and Edmond Agius, with Ryan Fenech, Joa Gabriel and Shaun Bajada making way. Michael Mifsud again played only in the second half.

Indeed the negative vibes were already visible as Valletta were unable to impose themselves on well organised opponents, allowing them no comfort on the ball. Qormi showed little creativity but high work rate and solidity at the back. The defensive work of Bello-Osagie was highly impressive, with Zarate and Siritto, loitering outside the Valletta area, trying to pounce on any defensive lapse from their opponents.

Past the half hour, Zarate almost punished Valletta, capitalising on space in their defence but his shot lacked enough power and the grounded keeper Bartolo could block.

In a mundane first half, Valletta were a disjointed lot, hardly ever functioning as a unit. A Magro effort missed the target, a Zammit shot was saved by keeper Farrugia and on the stroke of halftime Almeida sent a low ball across the face of the  Qormi goal. Zammit and Denni failed to connect.

Valletta went into the second half in some livelt fashion. Almeida’s shot on Mifsud’sa pass was saved by Qormi keeper Farrugia ansd Mifsud chased a long ball by Barbosa inside area but missed the target.

Qormi responded with a Zarate cross and a Bello-Osagie tame header before the stalemate was broken by Valletta on the hour. Almeida provided the cross from the right for Denni Dos Santos to score with a scissorts kick.

The champions breathed some reliefn and threatened further with a Mifsud shot going over and Zammit placing his effort narrowly wide from the left.

On 79 minutes, on a rare Qormi attack, Sciberras should have doen better when put through by Zarate but shot feebly without any trouble for keeper Bartolo.

There was a hefty price to pay for that profligacy. Five minutes from time, Almeida played the ball wide to Gabriel, who had gone in for Denni, and after good work on the right, the Valletta substitute returned the compliment with an inviting cross for Almeida to net from close range.

With the points secured, Valletta even threatened to put a flattering gloss on the scoreline, but Mifsud’s goal bound effort on Zammit’s pass was smartly saved by keeper Farrugia.

The halftime boos had turned into applauses from the Valletta fans at the end.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, K. Thackray, J. Chetcuti, A. Bello-Osagie, L. Sciberras, M. Gauci, S. Siritto (V. Pisani), E. Zarate, J. Bondin, A. Cassar, S. Wellman

Valletta: M. Bartolo, R. Briffa, D. Falzon, R. Barreto, W. Barbosa, E. Agius, I. Zammit, L. Almeid (J. Ogonuppe), D. Dos Santos (J. Gabriel), I. Azzopardi, K. Magro (M. Mifsud)

Referee:   C. Pisani

Asst.refs:  W. Debattista, A. Grech

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: D. Dos Santos 60, L. Almeida 85

Yellow cards: W. Barbosa, L. Sciberras, I. Zammit, R.Briffa, E. Zarate

Player of the match: Ian Zammit (Valletta)

TMI top 3:  1.A. Bello-Osagie  2. W. Barbosa 3. E. Zarate

Attendance: 1,174