Day 24: Valletta 5 Hamrun S. 0 Published on: 08-04-2011

Title moves closer to Citizens

Runaway leaders Valletta inched closer to the Premier League title after hammering Ħamrun Spartans 5-0 to go 13 points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more.

Victory from their next clash with Marsaxlokk would secure the title for the rampant Citizens, who hit four goals in the second half in this evening’s match to send their numerous fans into ecstasy.

Valletta were first to threaten when Andrade profited from a short clearance by the Spartans defence but he skewed his shot over the bar.

The injury-depleted Spartans had the ball in the net when Roderick Fenech’s backheader from David Camilleri’s free-kick had the better of Andrew Hogg but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for a foul by a Spartans player.

Reprieved, the Citizens pressed forward in search of an opener. Denni moved clear on the right before cutting the ball back for Roderick Briffa whose bold drive was pushed away by Omar Borg, the Spartans goalkeeper.

Denni then nodded wide of the near post from Edmond Agius’s cross and Borg denied Valletta again with a fine save from Briffa’s scorcher.

The Spartans goalkeeper also did well to tip away Briffa’s cross from a corner but Valletta grabbed the lead on 26 minutes when Denni’s cross-cum-shot from a left-wing free-kick surprised Borg who appeared to have been unsighted by a clutch of players inside the box.

Despite their superior possession, Valletta struggled to penetrate the Spartans rearguard. They had to wait until the dying stages of the first half to create a scoring chance but Denni blasted over after the Spartans failed to clear Ryan Fenech’s free-kick.

Briffa’s pulverising drive was inches wide but the skilful Valletta midfielder got his reward connecting with Andrade’s cross.

Valletta’s second goal came at a point when most of the fans were more concerned with the events in parking area as a car went up in flames.

On the field, the Citizens persisted with their attacks. Fenech drove wide after bursting into the box but Ħamrun almost pulled one back when Dylan Kokavessis, racing intoi a long ball, surged forward but his shot was high and wide.

At the other end, Andrade’s curler was diverted away for a corner.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Nikolai Chipev served Marcelo Pereira in the box but the Spartans’ Brazilian striker hit wide.

Gilbert Agius and Terrence Scerri, who had just come on for Jamie Pace and Andrade, almost made an instant impact as the former ran clear and passed to Scerri whose tame effort was cleared away by Roderick Fenech.

With 15 minutes remaining, Scerri headed wide at the far post after meeting a cross from Gilbert Agius.

Valletta were now in total command. They added a third goal through Edmond Agius who slotted the ball home after being teed up by Fenech.

Barely two minutes later, Edmond Agius scored a beauty as his thumping drive from the distance ripped past Borg and into the far corner of the net.

Valletta’s onslaught continued, Steve Borg crossing for Briffa who made it 5-0 with a first-time shot that took a deflection on its way into the net.

Briffa was named BOV player of the match.


Source: timesofmalta.com

VALLETTA, A. Hogg, S. Borg, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, R. Dos Santos, E. Agius, D. Dos Santos (K. Sammut), J. Pace (G. Agius), R. Fenech, A. Anderson (T. Scerri), R. Briffa.

HAMRUN S,  O. Borg, M. Grima, G. Spiteri (P. Anizoba), S. Bonnici, K. Magro, R. Fenech, D. Camilleri (C. Debattista), M. Mifsud (G. Azzopardi), N. Chipev, M. Pereira, D. Kokavessis.

BOV Premier 2010/11
Date: 8-04-11     Time: 19:30    Venue: National Stadium

Scorers: 25' D. Dos Santos, 46' R. Briffa, 79' E. Agius, 82' E. Agius, 86' R. Briffa.

Man of match: Roderick Briffa