The Malta Independent 6 May 2024, Monday
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FA Trophy: Dominant Citizens make no mistake against Sirens

Simon Farrugia Sunday, 26 January 2020, 18:53 Last update: about 5 years ago
Photo: James Galea
Photo: James Galea

Valletta                 4

Sirens                   1

Valletta :  Y. Cini, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, B. Kaljevic, M. Piciollo (J. Barrios 83'), S. Dimech, J. Borg, E. Pena Beltre, N. Pulis (S. Malano 85'),  M. Alba, T. Caruana

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Sirens D. Cassar, R. Grech, R. Dos Anjos, E. Okoye, R. Silva Faria (L. Sciberras 70'), I. Adeshina, E. Herrera (A.Borg 57'), R. Romao, L. Memezes, T. Espindola, F. Cheveresan

Referee: Emanuel Grech  

Asst refs: Thomas Debono, James Muscat

4th official: Matthew Degabriele

Yellow Cards: Kaljevic, dos Anjos, Camilleri, Grech, Okoye, Cini

Scorers: Kaljevic 7',80',  Piciollo 27' , dos Anjos 89', Barrios 90'

TMI Top 3 :  1.   B.Kaljevic                2.    M. Alba                               .M. Piciollo

Valletta were the last team to make it to the quarter finals of the FA Trophy when they registered a convincing victory over Sirens. It was a dominant display from the reigning Champions and last year's finalists of this competition.

Sirens failed to offer the desired resistance and after a bright start, two goals inside the first half an hour killed their hopes.

Valletta had Kaljevic and Alba in fine form and combined well with the former also scoring a brace.

Valletta marched into the Fourth Round beating St. Andrew's to the tune of four goals to nil. As regards Sirens they had the best over Gozitan side Kercem Ajax beating them by a 4-1 scoreline.

In the league Sirens and Valletta figured out a goaless draw.

Sirens could have taken the lead inside the first minute when off a Faria cross from the left side the ball fell into Cheveresan's path who though well placed miskicked the ball.

But it was Valletta who took the lead on 7 minutes when off an Alba corner in came Bojan Kaljevic who bulletted his header past a helpless Cassar.

On the other end in the 12th minute a low shot by Faria ended inches wide.  With Valletta going near to increasing their lead when a Pena Beltre cross was met by Piciollo but his shot was saved by Cassar.

But the Citizens kept piling on the pressure and were rewarded on 27 minutes when off a Kaljevic cross from the right flank in came Piciollo who scissor kick found the corner of the net.

Sirens were finding it difficult to react and had only a Faria long range shot on 39 minutes which was saved by an alert Cini.

On the restart Valletta kept piling on the pressure and just a minute had passed when Matteo Piciollo wasted a chance to increase the Citizens lead after being supplied by Miguel Alba.

Sirens went near in the 68th minute when an indirect free kick from inside the Valletta box taken by Romeu Romao sailed just over.

Ten minutes from the end Valletta brought the issue beyond doubt when Kaljevic fired a shot from just outside the area which left Cassar stranded.

Sirens scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute. A Ryan Grech free-kick was fumbled by goalkeeper Cini and  Raphael dos Anjos was on hand slotting the ball into the net.

But in added time there was still time for Valletta's fourth goal which came courtesy of subsitute debutant Jhony Moises Barrios.

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