Valletta put seven past Balzan
Valletta started of the Championship Pool on a high as they defeated Balzan Youths 7-2 on Monday evening.
Valletta scored the first goal of the match on the seventh minute. A high shot by Edmond Agius left no chance for goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri.
On the 25th minute, Balzan manage to score the equaliser. A direct freekick by Pedro dos Santos Calcado beat goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.
Just five minutes later, Valletta managed to regain the lead. Off a corner by Denni Rocha dos Santos, William Barbosa easily found the back of the net with his shot.
On the 31st minute, Aleksandars Cekulajevs concluded a great solo effort to beat goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri to give his team a 3-1 lead.
Cekulajevs made it 4-1 on the 34th minute with his shot from close range.
Valletta continued their dominance in the second half by scoring another goal on the 47th minute. This time it would be Gilbert Agius who's low shot left no chance for the Balzan goalkeeper to make it 5-1.
Valletta's sixth goal arrived on the 55th minute. Off a freekick by Edmond Agius, Ousseni Zongo made no mistake with his fine header.
Balzan managed to score their second goal of the night on the 75th minute. Pedro dos Santos Calcado was on target again with his precise freekick.
Six goals were not enough for Valletta as they scored the seventh when they were awarded a penalty on the 83rd minute . Bjorn Bondin brought Terence Scerri down inside the area to have the referee immediately point to the penalty spot. Terrence Scerri converted to make the final score 7-2.
William Barbosa was voted BOV Player of the Match.
BALZAN YOUTHS Matthew Camilleri, Jonathan Francica, Bledjon Guga, Yessous Camilleri, Glenn Bonello (59′ Bjorn Bondin), Clifton Ciantar, Nikola Tasic, Jamie Pace, Dylan Grima (71′ Silvan Ciscaldi), Pedro dos Santos Calcado, Martin Deyanov (63′ Miguel Ciantar).
Subs not used: Fredrick Tabone, Roderick Farrugia, Lydon Micallef, Michael Borg.
Coach: Joe Borg
Team Manager: Ivan Zammit
VALLETTA FC Andrew Hogg (73′ Yenz Cini), Jonathan Caruana (62′ Filippo Andrea Scozzese), Steve Borg, Ian Azzopardi, William Barbosa, Gilbert Agius, Aleksandars Cekulajevs (62′ Terence Scerri), Roderick Briffa, Edmond Agius, Ousseni Zongo, Denni Rocha dos Santos.
Subs not used: Roderick Bajada, Nahuel Pulitano Jimenez, Gaetano Joseph Gesualdi, Wail Rizgalla.
Coach: Leonard Farrugia
Asst. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Joe Camilleri
Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna
Yellow Cards: Calcado, Borg, Barbosa, Ciantar, Francica, Bondin
Scorers: 7′ Edmond Agius (V); 25′ Pedro dos Santos Calcado (B); 30′ William Barbosa (V); 31′ Aleksandars Cekulajevs (V); 34′ Aleksandars Cekulajevs (V); 47′ Gilbert Agius (V), 55′ Ousseni Zongo (V); 75′ Pedro dos Santos Calcado (B); 83′ Terence Scerri pen (V)
Attendance: 725