Valletta defeat rivals Birkirkara

This victory leaves Valletta ten points clear of second placed Tarxien who have a game in hand.

The first half remained goalless as both teams defended exceptionally well by not letting any strikers near goal.

Birkirkara managed to break the deadlock two minutes into the second half. Michael Galea had two attempts on goal to put Birkirkara ahead. His first show was not saved well by goalkeeper Andrew Hogg. This gave Galea the chance to get the goal off the rebound.

Valletta equalised on the 53^rdminute thanks to Denni Rocha Do Santos. Denni ran into the area and beat goalkeeper Michael Fraser with his angled shot.

Valletta took the lead on the 66^thminute. It was Denni Rocha Do Santos again lobbed the ball past the Birkirkara keeper after being setup by captain Gilbert Agius.

Four minutes in added time Valletta were awarded a penalty after Angus Buhagiar brought down Terence Scerri inside the area. Terence Scerri made no mistake from the penalty spot to give Valletta a 3-1 victory.

Valletta FC: A Hogg, J Caruana, S Borg, I Azzopardi, R Dos Santos, J Pace, G Agius (I Zammit 79’), T Scerri, D Dos Santos (D Falzon 86’), O Temile (E Agius 72’), K Sammut

Birkirkara FC: M Fraser, T Paris (A Decesare 70), N Vukanac, R Muscat, J Zerafa, K Pulo (T Vella 73), A Buhagiar, P Fenech, S Bajada, M Galea, E Lattes

Goals: M Galea 47’, Denni Dos Santos 53’, Scerri (pen) 94'

Yellow cards: P Fenech, A Buhagiar, S Borg, R Muscat, O Temile, S Bajada, I Zammit

Referee: Chris Lautier

BOV Player of the Match: Denni Dos Santos (Valletta)