Matchday 23: Valletta 5 Zebbug R 1
02/04/2023
New look Valletta comfortably saw off Żebbug Rangers in a one-sided match.
Sporting a new strip, that combined a yellow shirt with blue shorts, the Citizens were all over their opponents as Thane Micallef’s men cruised to a comfortable win.
After seven minutes on the clock, Jean Marie Ulrich Ngong picked Federico Falcone who headed the ball into the net.
Brian Spiteri’s men hit back strongly as right after restart, Stanimir Miloskovic’s fluke attempt hit the bar and the ball bounced back into the feet of Jeferson Macedo who was denied by Valletta goalkeeper Cain Formosa.
From the rebound, Henrique Motta saw his effort deflected into a corner by Christian Gauci.
From teh resultant corner, Charles Lokoli Ngoy’s effort was somehow kept out by Formosa.
But Valletta are known for their resilience almost as much as for their flair these days and the Citizens increased their lead in the 26th minute.
Eslit Sala beat his marker to Ngong’s corner before nodding the ball into the direction of Andrea Zammit who head home.
Brian Spiteri’s brought on Jordan Sciberras and Kurt Bondin for Miloskovic and Travis Bartolo. But they could do little to change the outcome as Valletta made it 3-0 a minute into the second half. The modus operandi was always the same as Ngong again picked Falcone who headed the ball at the far post.
Valletta made it four when Gaetano Gesualdi fouled Niltinho inside the area in the box and Brandon Paiber slotted home the resultant penalty.
Despite, the harsh scoreline, Żebbuġ kept fighting and Lokoli Ngoy was unlucky to see his shot finish just over while Roberto Sanchez was thwarted by Formosa.
Ten minutes later, Żebbuġ were awarded a penalty when Triston Caruana handled the ball inside the area but Lokoli-Ngoy saw his shot coming off the post.
The woodwork also thwarted Falcone minutes later, but Valletta did add a fifth goal four minutes from time.
Zammit completed a fine individual performance by controlling Barbara’s ball to drill the ball home.
Żebbuġ managed to get their consolation goal at death when Shaun Bugeja headed from close in to deny Formosa a cleansheet.
Source: Times of Malta, Photo credits Times of Malta
VALLETTA: C. Formosa, E. Ruiz, A. Zammit, S. Dimech (62 L. Cremona) Niltonho (62 Z. Barbara), C. Gauci, F. Falcone, B. Paiber, R. Muscat (58 T. Caruana), U. Ngong (75 J. Mallia), E. Sala (57 S. Mackay).
ZEBBUG R.: M. Chetcuti, H. Motta (72 Wilker), S. Bugeja, L. Almeida,T. Bartolo ( 46 K. Bondin-5), C. Lokoli Ngoy, R. Sanchez, J. Macedo (75 E. Mizzi), A. Soto Maldonado, S. Miloskovic (46 J. Sciberras-5), J. Gesualdi (72 R. Vella).
Referee: M. de Gabriele
Scorers: Falcone 7, 46; Zammit 26, 86; Paiber 56 pen (V), 88′ Bugeja (Z)
Yellow Cards: B. Paiber, C. Gauci (V), H. Motta, J. Gesualdi (Z)
Man of the Match: Jean Marie Nnomo Ngong (Valletta).
