Young goalie Vella keeps City alive

Marsaxlokk 0
Valletta 1
Falzon 45

A combination of Valletta's failure to see off neighbouring foes Floriana and Hibs extending their lead at the top to six points had triggered a wave of scepticism about the Citizens' chances of retaining the Premier League title.

Thus, the pressure was on the champions to overcome Marsaxlokk and turn a modicum of pressure on Hibs before the latter's encounter with Birkirkara tomorrow.

The Citizens reached their objective with a narrow 1-0 win but they almost paid the price for squandering a hatful of scoring chances as Marsaxlokk almost gained an equaliser in the dying stages.

Nicky Vella, who was handed the unenviable onus of replacing the suspended Andrew Hogg, emerged as Valletta's unlikely hero. Having eased City's nerves with a series of sound interventions, Vella capped a fine display by saving a penalty, taken by Malcolm Licari, on 83 minutes.

Vella's crucial intervention preserved Valletta's one-goal lead and dragged them to within three points of Hibs, who have a game in hand.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit restored Edmund Agius and Dyson Falzon to the starting formation as Roderick Briffa and Ian Zammit were ruled out by suspension.

Julio Alcorse was Marsaxlokk's focal point in attack with Marcelo Pereira and Kevin Sammut playing on the wings. Christian Cassar, who missed the 2-1 win over Birkirkara because of suspension, was given freedom to flit into dangerous positions from midfield.

After 10 minutes, Valletta fashioned their first scoring opportunity. Falzon advanced on the left before sending a low cross towards the far post where the unmarked Sebastian Monesterolo elected to hit the ball first time but his scrambled volley bounced off the turf and soared over.

Midway into the first half, Monesterolo was guilty of a more glaring miss. Steve Bezzina had the presence of mind to bypass the backtracking Marsaxlokk rearguard with a high ball. Monesterolo outpaced his marker but steered the ball wide.

Within minutes of Monesterolo's mishap, Valletta should have taken the lead when Gilbert Agius got behind the Marsaxlokk rearguard with a jinking run on the left and crossed into the small box where the sliding Edmund Agius looked a certainty to score but his rising effort crashed against the underside of the crossbar.

The erstwhile muted City fans could not believe their eyes. Their frustration increased when Kenneth Scicluna's sliced header bounced inches away from the far post.

Vella then thwarted Marsaxlokk when warding off Cassar's grounder and then made a routine save from Carlo Mamo's follow-on shot.

Valletta continued to call the tune but their finishing was awful. Priso blasted high after receiving from Gilbert Agius.

The Citizens will have wondered what they needed to do to break the deadlock but Falzon answered their prayers with a long-range strike that beat Reuben Debono hands down.

Buoyed by Falzon's stupendous opener, the Whites began the second half in similar vein as they had ended the first. Captain Gilbert Agius could only rue his luck, or the lack of it, when his rasping drive from the left smacked against the crossbar.

At the other end, Vella blocked a shot from Sammut and a central header from Chris Camilleri.

Vella ensured that Valletta stayed in the driving seat when pushing out Carlo Mamo's swerving free-kick.

Priso ought to have sealed Valletta's win when Massaro sent him clear but the Cameroon forward took a touch too many and Renato Conceicao cleared.

Valletta's failure to convert the numerous chances that came their way came back to haunt them when, with eight minutes left, Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty after Vella brought down Camilleri.

Stepped up for the penalty kick but Vella kept Valletta's title bid alive when he saved the former Pietà player's shot.

Marsaxlokk
R. Debono-5.5, C. Mamo-5, G. Sciberras-5.5, R. Conceicao-7, B. Said-6.5, K. Sammut-5, P. Pullicino-6.5, J. Alcorse-4 ('46 C. Camilleri-5), W. Camenzuli-5 ('46 M. Licari-4), M. Pereira-5, C. Cassar-5.5 ('61 M. Barbara-4).

Valletta
N. Vella-8, J. Grioli-6, K. Scicluna-6, L. Dimech-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, J. Pace-6, E. Agius-6, G. Agius-6.5, D. Falzon-7 ('90 J. Muscat), D. Priso-6.5 ('90 D. Grima), S. Monesterolo-4 ('55 P. Massaro-6).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Missed penalty: Licari (M) 83.

Yellow cards: Pace; Vella.

Scorer: Falzon 45

BOV player of the match: Dyson Falzon (Valletta)