Valletta had a good start to the new season defeating one of their main rivals Birkirkara 4-2. Valletta were the better team and fully deserved their victory, with the Citizens taking full advantage of Birkirkara’s sloppy defence.

The fixture between these two teams is always highly-anticipated for the level of entertainment it provides, and shortly after the kick-off, it was immediately clear that yesterday’s encounter wouldn’t disappoint.

Birkirkara took the lead after just seven minutes, when Valletta’s defence was caught offguard, and after a good run, Prado Rocha spotted unmarked Federico Falcone, who beat Henry Bonello with a splendid shot.

Valletta’s response was immediate, as barely over a minute later, Joseph Zerafa’s long cross from left side of the pitch served BOV Player of the Match Santiago Malano who rose above Birkirkara’s defenders to head home.

Valletta seemed to be reborn after the equaliser, and piled up their pressure on the opponents.

They went close to taking the lead after 12 minutes of play, when Aguirre’s dangerous cross wasn’t picked up by any of Valletta’s attackers, and the ball went slightly wide.

The Citizens’ efforts were rewarded six minutes later, thanks to Kyrian Nwoko’s effort, who headed home on Sala’s cross.

Valletta thus managed to turn the match in the span of 13 minutes.

Birkirkara tried to react before the break.

First, Isaac Ntow’s cross on 35 minutes was too long for any of his team mates to reach.

Two minutes later, a potentially dangerous cross by Cain Attard was intercepted by Malta’s National Team goalkeeper Henry Bonello, who had a very good match between Valletta’s posts.

Valletta were very close to doubling their lead shortly before the break, when Kyrian Nwoko crossed towards Marcolino, but the latter’s effort skimmed the woodwork.

Birkirkara had the last effort worthy of note in the first half, when Claudio Bonanni’s powerful shot from outside the box forced Bonello to convert into a corner.

It looked like the second half was going to be a repetition of the first half, with both teams being wary of their opponents.

Valletta were the first to be offensive in the 60th minute, and Marcolino’s effort from the edge of the box was saved by Birkirkara’s goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

Birkirkara’s response was immediate, as two minutes later, Pepe Enrico’s strike on a Matthew Guillaumier corner tested Bonello’s reflexes.

On 64 minutes, Valletta’s Rowen Muscat was seen fouling Matthew Guillaumier in the area, with the referee immediately signalling for a penalty. From the spot, Birkirkara’s youngster Yannick Yankham’s shot made it impossible for Bonello to save.

The match had even more drama in store, and Jesmond Zerefa’s substitutions proved to be decisive.

Valletta were awarded their own penalty on 70 minutes, when following a good run, substitute Shaun Dimech was fouled in the area by goalkeeper Hogg, who was also booked for the foul.

Aguirre took charge of penalty kick.

His first effort from the spot was momentarily saved by Hogg, but from the rebound, Aguirre was quick to tap the ball home.

Birkirkara had a goal disallowed on 75 minutes, when of the after a good run, Roderick Briffa crossed towards Falcone, who was seen elbowing an opponent as he headed home.

The Stripes were again close to the equaliser on 87 mintues, when Isaac Ntow’s short pass in the area hit a Valletta defender and ended up at substitute Luke Montebello’s feet, who couldn’t control properly, and had the ball snatched away by goalkeeper Bonello.

Valletta put the matter to rest well into the injury time, when upon receiving from substitute Marukawa, Matthew Piciollo went past goalkeeper Hogg, and tapped the ball home between the unguarded posts.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina