Oretan's hat-trick lifts plucky City

Valletta 4
Marsaxlokk 1

Criticism of Chris Oretan's subdued performances in his first two outings since he rejoined Valletta was consigned to the past yesterday.

Turning in a display reminiscent of the days when his speed and strength terrorised many a defender in the Premier League, the Nigerian struck a well-taken hat-trick as Valletta made a heady start to their Championship Pool commitments with a 4-1 rout of Marsaxlokk.

Not for the first time this season, cynics tagged this meeting against Marsaxlokk as a banana skin in-waiting for the Citizens but for the umpteenth time the Whites defied such forecasts.

Summoning the resilience that has served so well this season, J.J. Aquilina's City established a two-goal lead inside the opening 41 minutes, weathered Marsaxlokk's brief fightback after the change of ends and then stripped their opponents down with deadly counter-attacks.

For all the optimistic talk by president Victor Sciriha in the build-up to the match, this Marsaxlokk team of expensive talents again flattered to deceive, their failure to gain something from this match complicating their task of muscling their way back into contention for a top-three place, let alone offering a late challenge for the title.

Not so for Valletta whose victory ensured they reduced the gap from leaders Sliema to three points.

Aquilina had to alter his formation from the one that trounced Pieta 4-1 as Gilbert Agius and Milen Penchev were certified unfit to start. Agius was named among the substitutes and made a cameo appearance late in the game but Penchev did not even make the squad. For Marsaxlokk, Charlò Magro was ruled out by a hamstring problem but otherwise coach Atanas Marinov could bank on a full complement.

The first chance of the game fell Marsaxlokk's way. Seven minutes from the start had elapsed when Sean Sullivan pushed away a dangerous cross-shot from Marsaxlokk's midfield lynch-pin Mitko Trendafilov.

A dangerous cross from Keith Fenech then sailed dangerously towards the goalmouth but Malcolm Licari, the Marsaxlokk skipper who yesterday assumed an unusual position to the right of his team's defence, headed to safety over the bar.

After 25 minutes, Andrè Schembri turned adroitly and flicked the ball on for Jamie Pace whose first-time volley flew wide of the near post.

Marsaxlokk paid dearly for this miss as in their next telling inroad in their opponents' half, Valletta surged in front.

A string of passes outside the area looked to have unnerved the Marsa-xlokk defence who somehow blocked the first pot at goal. The rebound rolled straight into the path of Fenech who supplied Anatole Debono just inside the area, the former Pietà midfielder sending the ball flying into the top corner of the net for his first goal in a Valletta shirt.

Seven minutes later, goalkeeper Ivan Casha kept Marsaxlokk's heads above water with a fine tipping save from a Renie Forace drive and then saved again from the unmarked Jonathan Bondin.

However, with the defenders in front of him in a seemingly constant state of disarray, Casha could do nothing to stop Valletta doubling their lead four minutes before half-time.

The move was initiated by Nisevic who dispossessed Schembri in the middle before switching the ball to the advancing Forace, left in splendid isolation in the inside-left channel. The low cross from the Valletta midfielder was poked home by Oretan.

The cheers from the City fans had barely died down when Marsaxlokk hauled themselves back into contention.

Trendafilov's free-kick seemed to have been touched onto the post by Sullivan but with the City defenders nowhere to be seen, Templeman thumped the rebound home.

Licari's return to his customary attacking role from the start of the second period gave Marsaxlokk more weight up front. Patrolling duties on Marsaxlokk's right channel were now being fulfilled by Pace.

Valletta's first notable attempt of the second half was a dipping effort from Massimo Grima which Casha blocked.

Midway into the second half, Cleaven Frendo put his pace and polished footwork to good use as he drew two Valletta defenders before striking the ball towards Schembri from the right but the conclusion from the former Hibs starlet was stopped by Nisevic.

Marsaxlokk's vigorous attacking momentum prompted Marinov to make a bold move when he hauled off left-back Mamo in favour of Michael Ochei.

The Blues' failure to make their territorial supremacy count came back to haunt them though as 18 minutes from time, Valletta re-established their two-goal lead.

A teasing cross from Bondin was fumbled by Casha, Oretan darting in like a bullet to fire the ball home.

Forace may have killed off Marsaxlokk when another defensive blunder put him through but his tame effort was parried by Casha.

Any remaining doubts about Valletta's victory were dispelled when, with seven minutes remaining, Oretan got on the end of a swift counter-attack, resisted Casha's approach before sliding the ball home.

Marsaxlokk had a late opportunity to revive their flailing spirits when they were awarded a penalty after Forace looked to have laid a hand to stop Schembri's run inside the area but Licari's shot crashed against the underside of the bar.

Valletta: S. Sullivan-7, K. Cassar-7, M. Grima-6, S. Pace-6, B. Nisevic-7 ('86 C. Camilleri), J. Bondin-8, K. Fenech-6, A. Debono-6 ('79 D. Zarb), R. Forace-6, M. Galea-6 ('75 G. Agius), C. Oretan-8.

Marsaxlokk: I. Casha-6, C. Paiber-5, T. Templeman-6, S. Tellus-5, C. Mamo-6 ('68 M. Ochei), M. Licari-6, J. Pace-5, S. Bajada-6, A. Schembri-6, M. Ivanov Trendafilov-7, C. Frendo-6 ('81 I. Zammit).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Scorers: Debono 27; Oretan 41, 72, 83; Templeman 45.

Yellow Cards: Schembri; Forace; Fenech; Debono; Bondin.

Player Of The Match: Chris Oretan (Valletta).

Standings

Note: Msida have been deducted two points