Valletta and Gudja United cross swords in the first match played at the National Stadium from the Round of 32 of the FA Trophy. An entertaining match which went Valletta’s way but it was no stroll in the park.

The match brought against each other two teams equal on points in the BOV Premier League holding on to ninth and tenth place but in a rather unhealthy position. Valletta last four matches brought only one point since they lost three out of their last four.

As for Gudja they also lost three from their last four matches drawing the other match thanks to a last minute goal against high flying Gzira United.

The initial stages were dominated by Valletta but on 21 minutes Gudja were dealt a severe blow when Bolanas was sent off for two yellow cards in the space of a few seconds, the second booking and eventual sending off for sarcastically clapping towards the official’s decision.

Valletta were now holding more the upper hand and on 23 minutes Sala found Campos who passed towards Rowen Muscat but the latters shot ended inches wide. On the half hour Muscat set Nwoko whose diagonal shot from just inside the area was saved by Azzopardi.

But against the run of play it was Gudja United who forged ahead. A mistake by Triston Caruana in the middle of the park presented Tensior Gusman with the ball and the Gudja striker after making a good run rounded Caruana and placed the ball into the net.

Valletta looked a shocked lot but in the 35th minute they ventured forward when a Fenech cross found Dimech only for his headed effort to miss out.

Three minutes later a rising shot by Conceicao was saved by Bonello. With Valletta going near in the 42nd minute when off a Dimech cross from the left side Campos headed towards goal but his effort missed the target.

And on the stroke of half time Gudja could have doubled their lead by Gusman when with only Bonello to beat blasted the ball over the bar.

Twelve minutes into the second half a Ryan Fenech free kick from the edge of the area sailed just over the bar. On the hour mark a Campos shot from the edge of the area went inches wide. Valletta drew level in the 63rd minute through a wonderful strike by Santiago Malano who gave Azzopardi no chance to save.

On 72 minutes a good chance for Gudja when Da Silva sent a cross towards Mensah who headed into Friggieri’s path only for his shot to be saved by Bonello. And in the 78th minute off a Friggieri corner Mensah saw his header hit the crossbar.

A minute later Valletta scored what proved to be the winner. Rowen Muscat sent a low cross in the area and Shaun Dimech was on hand to drive home.

In the latter stages Bonello tipped onto a corner a James Brincat shot and on the other end Fontanella failed to seal the issue when with only Azzopardi to beat he lobbed the ball into his hands.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina