Rampant Citizens crush Wanderers

Valletta 5
Priso 7, 75; Grioli 13; Pace 17; G. Agius 71 pen.
Sliema Wanderers 0

Champions Valletta sent a clear warning to their title rivals with this crushing defeat of Sliema Wanderers.

It was another show of force from the Citizens as they annihilated their opponents, racing into a three-goal lead after just 17 minutes. The continuous running of Ian Zammit and man-of-the-match Doding Priso cut through the shambolic Sliema defence who were left gasping for breath as they chased the silky Valletta forwards.

Valletta are just one point behind leaders Hibernians and on this evidence it seems we are set for an exciting race between these two rivals for the 2009 league crown even though third-placed Birkirkara cannot yet be dismissed.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit introduced Cleaven Frendo for Dyson Falzon as Sebastian Monesterolo was back after recovering from a knee injury but only started on the bench.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi was forced to make changes in his starting formation as just before kick off Branko Nisevic limped out of the warm-up. He was replaced by Julian Vella.

Simon Agius started in goal in the absence of Henry Bonello who was serving a one-match ban while Mark Scerri is still unavailable.

Valletta could not have hoped for a better start as they struck with their first attempt at goal.

The clock marked seven minutes when Zammit controlled the ball just outside the box and let fly a powerful drive that hit the upright. From the rebound Doding had little difficulty in tapping the ball inside an empty net.

Sliema were still smarting from that early upset when they found themselves two goals behind. It was Justin Grioli who raced through on the right before hitting in a cross-shot that deceived Agius with the ball finishing in the back of his net. That was on 13 minutes.

Valletta's onslaught on the Sliema goal continued and four minutes later the score became 3-0 when from a Gilbert Agius corner, Priso nodded into the path of Jamie Pace who squeezed the ball in past a posse of defenders.

Valletta eased their tempo after that blistering start but they were still holding the upperhand as the Wanderers looked out of sorts and still feeling the effects of that terrible start.

Azzopardi was clearly not happy with the proceedings and on the half-hour he withdrew Victor Coto Ortega who was replaced by John Mintoff. The Sliema coach was looking to add some fresh ideas in his team's attacking charge.

But, on 32 minutes Valletta threatened again and skipper Agius was close when his free-kick flew just past the upright. Priso then traded the ball with Zammit but was denied by the onrushing Agius.

The Sliema defence was leaking water from all quarters and eight minutes before half-time Zammit again found space on the right before serving the sprinting Agius who headed just wide.

Sliema's first attempt at goal only arrived three minutes from the interval when Roderick Bajada's free-kick finished just over.

Soon after the restart, Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was forced to dive to his right to keep out Ian Azzopardi's header from a Matthew Bartolo corner and just past the hour Ivan Woods suddenly found himself in ample space in the Valletta box but hit well out of range.

More woes were in store for Sliema on 71 minutes when a Frendo centre was stopped with an arm by Ian Ciantar and the referee awarded the penalty after consulting assistant referee Ingmar Spiteri. Agius stepped up for the spot-kick and drove the ball into the corner.

On 75 minutes, the Citizens rammed home their fifth goal.

It was another slick move which saw Doding trading the ball with Agius before beating the Sliema keeper with a firm grounder.

The final stages of the match were of little note as Valletta opted to administer their healthy lead while the sorry Blues looked to avoid further embarassment.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6, J. Grioli-6.5, K. Scicluna-6, L. Dimech-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, P. Doding-8 ('83 D. Grima), R. Briffa-6.5, J. Pace-7 ('74 E. Agius), G. Agius-7, I. Zammit-6.5 ('72 S. Monesterolo), C. Frendo-6.5.

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-4, A. Muscat-6, I. Azzopardi-5, J. Vella-5 ('65 M. Ciantar-5), M. Bartolo-5.5, J. Chetcuti-5, I. Woods-5 ('89 K.P. Farrugia), L. Dronca-5.5, I. Ciantar-4.5, V. Coto Ortega-4 ('30 J. Mintoff-5), R. Baj

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow card: Chetcuti.

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