Valletta registered a great win over reigning Champions Hiberians in a match in which they were a dominant force, scoring at regular intervals. After goalless first half, the Lillywhites were over their opponents in the second forty five minutes scoring four times without reply.
This win is also a morale booster for Valletta whereas for Hibernians it was a great setback. A result mostly welcomed by Hamrun Spartans who are now in cruise control, with a nine point advantage over the second placed team. It is more looking like not who is going to be crowned Champion but when.
In the 12th minutes Killian Bevis received the ball from Zammit only to see his shot being turned into a corner by Haber. Two minutes later Haber had to be once again on the alert this time saving a Paiber free-kick.
Valletta kept holding the upper hand and midway through the first half another free-kick by Paiber found Zammit but his shot ended wide. And in the 28th minute Bevis set Cheveresan but his shot on the run missed the target.
Hibernians were nowhere to be seen and just past the half hour Valletta threatened once again with Zammit passing towards Cheveresan only for his shot to be blocked by the Paolites rearguard.
A minute from the change of ends Hibernians went forward with Kristensen finding Aldama who played the ball into Degabiele’s direction but his close range shot was blocked by goalkeeper Guarnone.
Four minutes into the second half and Valletta finally found the net. Shaun Dimech found Flavio Silva Cheveresan and the latter after rounding Haber placed the ball into an empty net.
Valletta kept piling on the pressure and this time around it was reaping dividends. A perfect pass by Paiber towards Andrea Zammit whose diagonal shot beat Haber all ends up.
Eight minutes from the end of the match and Valletta scored their third goal with Jean Marie Ngong putting his name on the scoresheet.
And Valletta capped a wonderful afternoon when in stoppage time they scored their fourth goal through Kylian Bevis.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
