Valletta win top of the table clash

Valletta started the match on the attack with an effort by Denni Rocha dos Santos easily saved by goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Hibernians had a goal disallowed on the 18^th minute. Edison Luis dos Santos had his shot his the woodwork and end up in the net, but the player was ruled offside by the referee.

On the 23^rd minute, Edison Luis dos Santos would not be denied when he slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg to give Hibernians the lead.

On the 29^th minute, a freekick by William Barbosa was deflected by goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Valletta scored the equaliser on the 38^th minute thanks to Gilbert Agius. Off a corner by Denni Rocha Dos Santos, Agius was in the perfect position to head the ball in past Muscat.

Valletta started to add more pressure on their opponents, but the first half ended 1-1.

Five minutes into the second half, Valletta came close to scoring when Ousseni Zonga's effort went just wide.

Valletta managed to take the lead on the 64^th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Aaron Xuereb brought down Denni Rocha Dos Santos  inside the area to have the referee immediately point to the penalty spot. William Barbosa made no mistake from the penalty spot to give Valletta the precious lead.

On the 80^th minute, Valletta made sure they would be taking home all three points when off a corner by Pulitano Jimenez, Roderick Briffa made no mistake by beating Mario Muscat with his shot from close range to make it 3-1.

In stoppage time, Hibernians managed to close the gap when they were also awarded a penalty when William Barbosa handled the ball inside the area. Clayton Failla beat goalkeeper Andrew Hogg with his shot from the Penalty spot to make the final score 3-2.

Just before the final whistle, Valletta's goalkeeper Andrew Hogg received his second yellow card and was sent off after throwing the ball.

Dennis Rocha dos Santos was voted BOV Player of the Match.

HIBERNIANS Mario Mucat, Jonathan Pearson (85′ Ryan Camilleri), Aaron Xuereb (81′ Steve Pisani), Rodolfo Soares, Clayton Failla, Bjorn Kristensen, Edward Herrera, Andrew Cohen, Jason Vandelannoite, Marcelo Dias, Edison Luis dos Dantos.
Subs not used: Nicholas Grima, Adrian Pulis, Ayrton Azzopardi, Johann Bezzina, Peter Anizoba Chizoba.
Coach: Mark Miller
Assistant Coach: Richard Mercieca

VALLETTA FC Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Saidou Mady Panandeitguiri, Ian Azzopardi (24' Roderick Bajada), Roderick Briffa, Edmond Agius, Gilbert Agius (46′ Terence Scerri), Ousseni Zongo (79′ Nahuel Jimenez Pulitano), Denni Rocha Dos Santos, William Barbosa, Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Aleksandrs Cekulajevs, Terence Scerri, Filippo Andrea Scozzese, Samir Arab.
Coach: Leonard Farrugia
Assistant Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Mariano Debono, Alex Grech
Fourth Official: Esther Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Bajada, Vandelannoite, Denni, Pearson
Red Cards: 90′ Hogg
Scorers: 23′ Edison Luis dos Santos (H); 38' Gilbert Agius (V); 64′ William Barbosa pen (V); 80′ Roderick Briffa (V); 90′ Clayton Failla pen (H)