Agius goal ends City's winless run

Valletta 2
Priso 14; Agius 71
Msida St Joseph 1
Magro 37

Valletta ended their three-match winless streak yesterday when they edged past a solid Msida St Joseph side by the odd goal in three.

The champions took to the field determined to grab their first win after three successive draws against Hibernians, Tarxien Rainbows and Birkirkara. The Citizens looked well on their way to reach their target after man-of-the-match Doding Priso, yesterday playing against his former team, put them ahead after just 14 minutes.

However, any hopes the Citizens might have had of enjoying a comfortable afternoon were jolted late in the first half when some jittery defending handed Msida an unlikely equaliser.

Luckily for them, skipper Gilbert Agius came to the rescue with a vital strike on 71 minutes to push his team up to fourth place in the standings.

Despite his relief at his side's much-awaited return to winning ways, Valletta coach Paul Zammit will be concerned about the form of his players who again looked far from convincing yesterday. A significant improvement in their game is needed if Valletta are to mount a serious challenge to retain the title.

Yesterday, Zammit handed a start to Marcelo Tolomeotti with the Brazilian striker keen to impress after a rather disappointing start to his career with the club from the capital. Stefan Giglio made way for Tolomeotti with the recovering Cleaven Frendo also named among the substitutes.

Patrick Curmi, the Msida coach who was taking charge of his 100th game in the Premier League, paired the in-form Pedro Calcado with Kurt Magro as Brazilian striker Marcos Aurelio only started on the bench.

Calcado, who has already scored five goals for Msida this season, threatened to add to that tally as early as the second minute when his free-kick forced Andrew Hogg into a diving save.

Valletta responded on 11 minutes when Gilbert Agius fired a firm drive that was stopped by Msida goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri.

However, the Msida custodian could do nothing on 14 minutes when the Citizens forged ahead.

It was former Msida player Priso who did all the damage as the Cameroon forward beat his marker before planting a well-placed shot into the corner of the net.

The goal was a hard blow for Msida and the Saints almost found themselves two goals down on the half hour when Gilbert Agius directed a high ball into the path of the unmarked Tolomeotti but the Brazilian's shot was somehow kept out by Camilleri.

From the ensuing flag-kick, taken by David Camilleri, Luke Dimech nodded the ball towards Josef Mifsud whose close-range deflection was again pushed away by the Msida no. 1.

When a second goal for Valletta looked imminent, it was Msida who struck on 37 minutes. Mifsud and Dimech thumped into each other in an attempt to control an Msida long clearance with the ball falling to the unmarked Magro, who joined Msida on a season-long loan from Valletta. The young midfielder advanced unimpeded before sending the ball past the onrushing Hogg.

At the restart, Zammit looked to add more impetus to his team's attacking charge by sending on striker Ian Zammit in place of defender Mifsud.

The Citizens looked short of creativity in their bid to break a solid Msida defence.

Just past the hour, Zammit was first to react to Dimech's dipping cross in the Msida area but his header flew wide of the near post.

Msida seemed content to contain Valletta's pressure and try to hit on the counter. On 65 minutes, Curmi introduced Aurelio for the tiring Chris Camilleri.

The Brazilian almost left an immediate mark on the game as a minute after his arrival, his throughball put Andre Rocha Da Silva clean through but the latter's effort was blocked by Hogg. The Brazilian protested for a penalty, claiming a foul by Kenneth Scicluna when he was about to shoot but the referee waved play on.

There was a sigh of relief for the Citizens 20 minutes from time when they finally restored their lead. Substitute Frendo picked up a loose ball before delivering a cross towards Gilbert Agius who headed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Valletta should have sealed the points 14 minutes from time when Priso served Zammit in the area who immediately set up the sprinting Frendo but the latter miscued his shot from an inviting position.

Msida tried hard to force a late rally but Valletta did well to administer their lead and gain a morale-boosting win.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6, E. Agius-6, J. Mifsud-4.5 ('46 I. Zammit-6), K. Scicluna-6, D. Camilleri-6, J. Pace-6, G. Agius-7, L. Dimech-6, N. Priso-7.5 ('86 S. Giglio), D. Falzon-5.5, M. Tolomeotti-5 ('53 C. Frendo-6).

Msida
M. Camilleri-7.5, S. Grima-6 ('82 M. Camilleri), A. Spiteri-6, K. Spiteri-6, S. Vella-6.5, T. Farrugia-6.5, A. Farrugia-6, A. Da Silva-6, C. Camilleri-6.5 ('65 M. Aurelio-5), P. Calcado-6, K. Magro-6 ('78 E. Navarro).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: T. Farrugia; Grima; Calcado; Doding.

BoV Player of the match: Njongo Doding Priso (Valletta).