Priso returns to haunt former team

Msida St Joseph 0
Valletta 2
Priso 31; Monesterolo 89

Priso Doding returned to haunt his former team Msida St Joseph as his first-half goal paved the way to three precious points for second-placed Valletta who are now just one point behind leaders Hibernians.

It was an efficient display from the Malta champions who did just enough to clinch maximum spoils despite playing for the entire second half with ten players after Stefan Giglio was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident on the stroke of half-time.

Msida will certainly feel disappointed with their performance as despite having numerical advantage they hardly ever tested Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

The rather bland performance against Birkirkara by the champions on Monday night sent the alarm bells ringing and coach Paul Zammit boldly reshuffled his starting XI.

Skipper Gilbert Agius, Sebastian Monesterolo, Dyson Falzon and Jamie Pace were all named among the substitutes with young Ian Zammit and newcomer Paolo Massaro spearheading the Citizens attack while Gilgio and Priso were assigned a role in midfield.

Msida St. Joseph, still unbeaten since Joe Abdilla took over the helm following the sudden departure of Patrick Curmi, had to face the champions without the suspended Pedro Calcado.

Valletta could have taken the lead as early as the ninth minute when Msida goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri tried to dribble past Valletta midfielder Cleaven Frendo but the ball fell into the path of Edmund Agius whose shot sailed over the bar.

On 17 minutes, Msida were awarded a free-kick after Hogg handled the ball just outside the area. Andrew Spiteri curled a magnificent effort towards the far post but the Valletta number one was up to the job to palm the ball to safety.

Just past the half hour, Valletta took the lead. Frendo rolled a short corner towards defender Steve Bezzina whose in-swinger inside the area created havoc. Giglio was the first player to make contact with the ball as he headed backwards towards Massaro who headed precisely to the unmarked Priso. The Cameroonian had a rather easy task slamming the ball into the net from two metres out.

Seven minutes from half-time, Edmund Agius won the ball in midfield and fired a vicious shot that Camilleri could only manage to divert away to a corner.

More drama was in store on the stroke of half-time as Giglio was shown a straight red for lashing out at Da Silva. The seasoned midfielder stormed out of the pitch as Ian Zammit was handed the captain's armband with Paul Zammit's side facing an uphill struggle for the rest of the match.

Zammit tried to make amends for Giglio's expulsion by introducing Justin Grioli on the right hand side of defence and instructing Roderick Briffa to patrol the centre of midfield in a bid to contain Msida's potential surges.

This move vindicated Zammit's choice as Valletta kept their opponents at bay and were still the better side on the pitch despite having a player less on the pitch.

Sebastian Monesterolo was roped into the proceedings on 69 minutes and the agile striker was quickly in action as he was served on the edge of the area before outwitting two defenders and floating a shot that missed the target altogether.

Inside the last five minutes, the Argentine forward slipped the ball towards Briffa in the centre of the area but the ex-Sliema player blasted the ball wide.

On 89 minutes, Monesterolo broke free inside the area and thundered a shot that sailed into the net to seal Valletta's victory.

Msida were also reduced to ten players in added time as Stacey Vella was sent off by referee Arciola for a second bookable offence.

Valletta thought they had struck a third goal when substitute Dyson Falzon rifled the ball into the Msida net but his goal was annulled for offside.

Msida
M. Camilleri-6.5, S. Grima-6, A. Spiteri-6.5, S. Vella, K. Mifsud-5.5, T. Farrugia-7, A. Farrugia-6 ('74 K. Ebejer), D. Cachia-5.5, A. Da Silva-6.5, K. Magro-5.5 ('83 E. Navarro), M. Camilleri-5.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, E. Agius-7.5, K. Scicluna-6.5, L. Dimech-6.5, S. Bezzina-7, I. Zammit-6 ('69 S. Monesterolo-6.5), S. Giglio, P. Massaro-5 ('46 J. Grioli-6), R. Briffa-6, D. Priso-6, C. Frendo-6 (79 D. Falzon).

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Priso, Mifsud, Spiteri.

Red cards: Giglio 44, Vella 90.

BoV player of the match: Edmond Agius (Valletta).