Valletta win against Gżira Utd to go second

Valletta went ahead after seven minutes when Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao fired a stunning shot that gave Jamie Azzoaprdi no chance.

Paul Zammit’s side doubled the score on the 24th minute. Federico Falcone was brought down inside the penalty area and Keith Kennedy pointed to the spot. From the resulting penalty, Falcone kept calm and finished past Azzopardi.

Gżira were close to reduce the margin of the score on the 64th minute. From a corner, Yanis Tonna delivered the ball towards Moises Avila Perez, whose effort hit the crossbar.

The Maroons had a golden opportunity to reduce the margin of the score on the 78th minute. Henry Bonello fouled an opponent inside the penalty area and the referee whistled for a penalty once more. In addition to the penalty, Bonello was also given his marching orders by the Irish referee. However, Moises Avila Perez saw his shot being saved by substitute goalkeeper Maverick Buhagiar.

Branko Nisevic’s side managed to pull one back eight minutes from time.  From a cross down the right flank, Antonio de Queiroz Machedo Neto send a header past Buhagiar.

The Citizens managed to put the game beyond doubt in the additional time given by the referee. Jean Borg received the ball from the right flank and placed it inside the net.

Gżira Utd starting line-up: Jamie Azzopardi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino , Gianmarco Conti, Antonio de Queiroz Machedo Neto, Juan Carlos Corbalan, Jonathan Bondin, Moises Avila Perez, Jacob Borg, Zachary Scerri, Souleymane Diamoutene, Yanis Tonna.

Valletta starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho, Federico Matias Falcone, Claudio Pani, Uchenna Calistus Umeh , Leandro Aguirre, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao.

Referee: Keith Kennedy (NIR)
Assistant Referees: Keith Gillespie, Joseph Wilson (NIR)
Fourth Official: Neil Robinson (NIR)

BOV player of the match: Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (Valletta)