Frendo strikes gold for Valletta
Marsaxlokk 0Valletta 1 Cleaven Frendo was the toast of Valletta FC yesterday after the Malta international midfielder struck a vital winner against his former team Marsaxlokk to extend City's unbeaten run to 11 matches. The 23-year-old was making his...
Marsaxlokk 0
Valletta 1
Cleaven Frendo was the toast of Valletta FC yesterday after the Malta international midfielder struck a vital winner against his former team Marsaxlokk to extend City's unbeaten run to 11 matches.
The 23-year-old was making his first start for the champions after a series of niggling injuries. He scored what proved to be a valuable winner as Valletta, after a bright performance in the first half, were forced to withhold Marsaxlokk's fightback after the interval.
In his pre-match comments, Paul Zammit hoped his players would maintain their current good run of form. However, the modest showing after the break, which saw City surrender the initiative to their opponents, surely would not have gone down well with the methodical City coach.
The Southerners can feel somewhat unlucky to have left the National Stadium empty-handed. New coach Patrick Curmi will be encouraged with his team's showing overall as now they look to gain lost ground in the race for a Championship Pool berth.
Curmi had defender Renato Conceicao and Trevor Templeman back in the squad after long-term injuries. Brian Said and Steve Wellman were also back from suspension.
Valletta still had to do without Edmund Agius and Stefan Giglio while Luke Dimech and Ian Zammit were ruled out by suspension.
The match had a frenetic start to it with Marsaxlokk almost hitting the target inside the first minute when Kevin Sammut embarked on a jinking run but lost his balance when about to shoot at goal.
Valletta hit back on 10 minutes when Priso Doding fed Dyson Falzon who saw his piledriver deviated to a corner by William Camenzuli.
Marsaxlokk were then awarded a free-kick and Camenzuli's scorcher flew just over. On 14 minutes, from another free-kick, Gilbert Agius floated a cross into the path of Josef Mifsud whose header hit the side netting.
It was end-to-end stuff and Julio Alcorse broke through the Valletta defence before serving Marcelo Perreira whose shot missed the desired target.
At the other end, from a short corner, taken by David Camilleri, Grioli's centre found Agius whose effort flew just over.
Six minutes from the interval Agius slid the ball towards the steaming Doding but the Cameroon forward's effort was too weak to trouble Reuben Debono in the Marsaxlokk goal.
Valletta were applying some hot pressure now and their efforts paid off on 44 minutes when Doding released Agius whose first-time shot beat Debono but came off the upright. From the rebound, Frendo was quick to react and tap the ball inside the net for his first goal in a Valletta shirt.
In time added on, Agius, set up by Falzon, saw his shot palmed away by Debono.
Marsaxlokk looked a determined lot after the break.
They were close to an equaliser when Sammut fed substitute Malcolm Licari but the latter's dipping shot shaved the upright.
On the hour, Marsaxlokk threatened again. Sammut's pass found Alcorse inside the area but the Argentine's shot was deviated to a corner by the well-positioned Hogg.
Marsaxlokk were slowly growing in stature with Valletta more focused to preserve their one-goal lead and trying to catch their opponents with swift Doding breaks.
Twenty minutes from time Hogg had to be on the alert again to neutralise a rasping Perreira grounder as the Citizens became tense and their poor possession play was hampering their moves.
On 79 minutes, Marsaxlokk almost levelled the scores when Christian Cassar's free-kick was misjudged by Hogg but Wellman headed over in front of a gaping goal.
Seven minutes from time, Zammit withdrew Doding and sent in Jonathan Bondin as he looked to add more cover to his backline.
Marsaxlokk continued to press forward but the Citizens kept them at bay for a valuable win.
Marsaxlokk: R. Debono-6, C. Mamo-6.5, G. Sciberras-6, K. Sammut-6.5, J. Alcorse-6, S. Wellman-6, W. Camenzuli-6.5 C. Brincat-5.5 ('59 R. Conceicao-5.5), M. Pereira-5.5, C. Mattocks-5.5 ('53 M. Licari-6), C. Cassar-6.5.
Valletta: A. Hogg-7, K. Scicluna-6.5, J. Mifsud-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, D. Falzon-6 ('90 D. Grima), D. Camilleri-6.5, J. Pace-7.5, J. Grioli-6, G. Agius-6.5, C. Frendo-6.5 ('90 A. Carabott), P. Doding-7 ('83 J. Bondin).
Referee Chris Lautier.
Scorer Frendo 44
Yellow cards Doding, Alcorse, Bondin, Sammut.
BoV Player of the Match Gilbert Agius (Valletta).