Monesterolo ends Marsaxlokk's comeback

Marsaxlokk 3
Valletta 4

Marsaxlokk's bid for the title allied with the hype swirling around the interest of Victor Sciriha, the chief investor for the southerners, to join Valletta's leadership next season, encouraged rumour-mongers to speculate about the outcome of this clash.

Many were those who envisaged a Marsaxlokk win but the outcome was the opposite.

In a game that sprung to life in the second half, the Citizens looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory after striking three times in 18 minutes.

Marsaxlokk, thus far a pale shadow of the team that had forced their way into the championship race, stirred themselves to conjure up a fightback reminiscent of Liverpool's famous turnaround in last year's Champions League final when clawing back three goals in 15 minutes.

But Marsaxlokk's renewed confidence was quashed by a calibrated free-kick from City striker Sebastian Monesterolo.

Valletta won 4-3 to strengthen their hopes of a top-three finish, in the process ridiculing predictions of an easy outing for Marsaxlokk.

Reuben Gauci returned to guard Marsaxlokk's goal as Malcolm Licari was back to the first team after serving a one-match suspension. Cesar Paiber, however, did not even make the 18-man squad.

For Valletta, defender Sharlon Pace and midfielder Craig Dean were handed a starting role after their substitution in the 2-1 defeat to Sliema had triggered doubts about their fitness. Not so for Jonathan Bondin. He had to watch the match from the stands as he continued his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Paul Zammit, the City coach, confirmed Ian Zammit in a wide role on the left of midfield. This up-and-coming youngster got on the end of a pass from Claude Mattocks in the opening stages but his grounder was stopped by Gauci.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Chucks Nwoko released Jamie Pace but Sean Sullivan, the Valletta goalkeeper, came out to avert the danger.

Ray Farrugia was forced into his first substitution after 18 minutes after a thigh injury ended Licari's participation. The latter's place was taken by Shaun Tellus. He was making a comeback after missing most of the season with a knee injury.

Goalmouth action was virtually non-existent in the opening stages as the erratic passing from both sides made it easy for the respective defences to hold their own.

A quick burst of speed from Kevin Sammut down the right threatened to unsettle the Citizens as he muscled his way past Dean and Renie Forace before crossing towards the centre. Andrè Schembri was the beneficiary of Sammut's delivery but his volley went wide.

With Sammut and Pace intensifying their roaming movement, Marsa-xlokk enjoyed a brief spell of ascendancy but were not good enough to stretch City beyond routine work.

Quick passing from Dean, yesterday operating in a demanding central midfield position, and Gilbert Agius had the Marsaxlokk defence in a quandary as the City skipper picked out the Englishman inside the box with a good pass. Dean's ensuing shot from a tight angle whistled across the face of goal.

Late in the first half, another run by Dean encouraged Agius to lay the ball back for the former Manchester United apprentice but his final shot strayed high.

At half-time, Farrugia drafted in striker Wendell Gomes instead of Frendo but it was Valletta who landed the first blow.

Two minutes after the restart, Keith Fenech had time and space to send a cross from the right towards the far post where Zammit outjumped his marker to glance a header between Gauci and the near post.

Marsaxlokk should really have regained equilibrium on 50 minutes when Sammut flicked the ball to the unmarked Wendell Gomes inside the area. The Brazilian took one touch before pulling the trigger but his attempt flashed against the side-wrigging.

The odds for a Marsaxlokk victory lengthened when Valletta doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Agius was the architect and finisher as he cut inside Tellus from the left before powering the ball past the diving Gauci.

Steve Wellman came close for Marsaxlokk when he found himself in space on the right of Valletta's box but his fierce drive was pushed away by Sullivan.

Twenty minutes into the second, Monesterolo chipped the ball over Gauci after the keeper's defensive team-mates had gone missing in the face of another City attack - 3-0.

It seemed all over for Marsaxlokk but within a minute, their flailing hopes received a slight boost when Wendell Gomes, loitering near the far post, took a cross from Schembri and fired low past Sullivan.

Deriving fresh impetus from the brisk movement of the incoming Shaun Bajada and Wendell Gomes' probing inside the area, Marsaxlokk proceeded to make a contest out of it in the last 20 minutes.

Their improved efforts took them within one goal of Valletta 11 minutes from time, Wendell Gomes beating Sullivan with a flighted drive from outside the area.

Two minutes later, Marsaxlokk's comeback drew further dividends.

Sullivan looked to have the situation under control when he stopped Wendell Gomes's grounder but as the ball squirmed away from him, the City keeper lunged forward to try and dispossess the Brazilian. Wendell Gomes slumped to the ground and referee Clayton Pisani pointed to the spot. Bajada's shot just evaded Sullivan's dive.

Game on Marsaxlokk thought... but Valletta found the courage to hit back and restore their lead.

Their fourth goal came two minutes from time courtesy of a thunderous free-kick from Monesterolo.

He continued to endear himself to the City faithful who will be pleased to hear that the Argentine has agreed a new one-year contract.

All is well in the city these days.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci-4, J. Pace-5.5, K. Sammut-6 ('65 S. Bajada-7), C. Magro-6, S. Wellman-6, C. Mamo-5, C. Nwoko-5, N. Dos Santos Gomes-5, A. Schembri-6.5, C. Frendo-5 ('46 W. Gomes-7.5), M. Licari-5 ('18 S. Tellus).

Valletta: S. Sullivan-6, K. Cassar-5 ('38 M. Barbara-6), S. Pace-6, B. Nisevic-6, R. Forace-6 ('90 S. Bezzina), K. Fenech-7, C. Mattocks-7, C. Dean-6.5, I. Zammit-6.5, S. Monesterolo-7.5, G. Agius-7.5 ('90 D. Zarb).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Scorers: Zammit 47; Agius 55; Monesterolo 65, 88; W. Gomes 66, 79; Bajada 81 pen.

Yellow Cards: Licari; Monesterolo; Pace; Zammit; Fenech; Mamo.

BoV Player of the Match: Gilbert Agius (Valletta).