Day 24 Valletta 3 Hamrun S 0
08/04/2018
Kyrian Nwoko and Santiago Malano scored a goal a piece inside the first 45 minutes as Valletta beat Ħamrun Spartans to go top of the Premier League standings, two points clear of Balzan.
Valletta were in control right from the outset and after six minutes Kyrian Nwoko powering his way past Thiago but his rising shot finihed over.
Ħamrun continued to defend diligently and Valletta had to wait till the 20th minute to threaten when Matteo Piciollo’s shot was blocked by Jake Galea.
The Citizens were increasingly growing frustrated but on 33 minutes Nwoko eased their nerves when the U-21 striker hit a firm drive that was deflected past Galea and into the net.
The goal lifted the Citizens who added a second seven minutes later. Piciollo picked Santiago Malano inside the area and the Argentine’s shot flew under the body of Galea and into the net.
Piciollo almost added a third when he showed great skill move past Zaccardo but his shot was saved by Galea.
In the second half, Valletta started to administer their advantage and try to catch the Spartans with swift counter attacks.
On 65 minutes, Triston Caruana’s long-range shot finished just past the Valletta upright.
Valletta sealed the points on 78 minutes when Rowen Muscat hit a firm drive from the distance that was not held by Galea and in came Nwoko to fire home.
Source – timesofmalta.com
VALLETTA – H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, S. Malano, M. Piciollo (M. Mifsud), K. Nwoko (J. Cruz Gill), J. Borg, E. Pena Beltre, R. Saleh, R. Muscat. M. Alba (D. Dos Santos).
HAMRUN S. – J. Galea, T. Caruana, T. Espindola De Paula, T. Souza Da Silveira, D. Zerafa, C. Zaccardo (J. Galea), A. Faria Machado (M. Criaco), D. Camilleri, L. Micallef, G. De Castro, A. Nilsson (R. Vella)
Yellow Cards: D. Zerafa, A. Faria Machado (H), R. Camilleri, H. Bonello (V)
Scorers: 34′, 77′ K. Nwoko, 41′ S. Malano (V)
Man of Match: S. Malano (V)
Referee: E. Grech
