Day 2: Valletta 1 Sliema W 0
28/08/2015
Valletta are the only team with maximum points in the BOV Premier League after they edged Sliema Wanderers 1-0 at the National Stadium.
The Citizens were the better side for much of the first half on 26 minutes they should have taken the lead. Jhonnattann’s cross from the right channel was pushed by Entonjo Elezaj into the path of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who saw his header cleared off the line by Clifford Gatt Baldacchino. Llywelyn Cremona was first to the rebound but his shot on the turn hit the bar.
Two minutes later the woodwork denied the Wanderers when Pedrinho picked Ledesma but the Brazilian’s shot hit the upright with Henry Bonello beaten.
Five minutes from the break, Bonello dived to his right to push away Pedrinho’s dipping shot.
In stoppage time, Ledesma was again denied by the woodwork when his thumping volley smacked against the bar.
Valletta tried to step up their game and on 55 minutes Jonathan Caruana connected to Jhonnattann’s delivery from a corner kick but his firm header finished just wide.
Eighteen minutes from time, Zammit withdrew Abdelkarim Nafti and roped in Federico Falcone while minutes later Bruce was brought on for Mifsud Triganza.
Those changes looked inspired as the two substitutes combined for Valletta’s winner a minute from time.
Bruce’s long pass picked Roderick Briffa on the edge of the area and the City midfielder nodded the ball into the path of Falcone who beat Elezaj with a low drive.
Valletta striker Jhonnattann was voted as the BOV Player of the match.
Source: timesofmalta.com
VALLETTA – H. Bonello, R. Briffa, J. Caruana (R. Camilleri), C. Pani, J. Cruz Gill, I. Azzopardi, R. Romao, J. P. Mifsud Triganza (A. Bruce), A. Nafti (F. Falcone), L. Cremona, J. Benites.
SLIEMA W. – E. Elezaj, A. Muscat, J. Bezzina, M. Mifsud, P. Dos Santos Calcado, R. Ledesma, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Potezica, B. Essel, S. Biancardi, L. Dimech.
Date: 28.08.2015
Scorers: 89′ F. Falcone.
Yellow Cards: A. Nafti, F. Falcone (V), M. Mifsud, S. Bianchardi, P. Dos Santos Calcado, L. Dimech.
Man of Match: Jhonnattann Benites (V)
Referee: Esther Farrugia
