Resolute Msida keep City at bay

Valletta 0
Msida St Joseph 0

Pre-match forecasts that Valletta's fixture against newly-promoted Msida would be a stroll in the park for the Citizens proved way off the mark yesterday.

Msida struck a blow for the minnows with a resilient display that frustrated Valletta who lost their 100 per cent record after the match ended goalless.

The star-studded City team were optimistic about their chances of extending their perfect start but they perhaps committed the cardinal mistake of underestimating their opponents.

Not that Valletta didn't put in the effort to try and win the match but they appeared to lack the verve and cutting edge to knock down Msida's barricades.

No doubt, the point gained is a terrific boost for Msida and their chances of putting up a strong fight to avoid the drop.

What about Valletta? This partial slip-up should serve as a timely reality check for coach Ton Caanen and his troops.

The Dutch coach elected to make three changes from the 1-0 victory over Sliema. Edmond Agius, Dyson Falzon and Geert den Ouden were on the starting list, replacing Kevin Sammut, Jamie Pace and Terrence Scerri.

Mark Marlow named Olushola Aganun in his initial XI after the Malta FA gave Msida the all-clear to register the Nigerian. Aganun was handed the onus of leading Msida's attack on his own as Marlow gave a roaming role to Emiliano Lattes.

After nine minutes, Den Ouden was first to Doding Priso's centre but his header dropped just wide.

Valletta pushed forward from the off.

Although the Citizens dominated large swathes of possession, they were finding it hard to break down Msida.

Close to the half-hour mark, Gilbert Agius's corner fell to Den Ouden but the Dutchman's flick was kept out by Kevin Mifsud.

Jordi Cruyff, operating in front of Valletta's central midfielders, picked out Den Ouden but the towering striker was intercepted by Manuel Bartolo.

Six minutes from half-time, Bartolo and the crossbar prevented Valletta from taking the lead. Den Ouden summoned a delicate chip that caressed the woodwork before the keeper palmed the ball away for a corner.

The complexion of the game remained the same after the change of ends.

Six minutes into the second half, Gilbert Agius picked out Falzon but the latter's half-volley flashed against the side-netting.

Andrew Hogg had not been tested once in the first half but the Valletta goalkeeper showed fine reflexes when keeping out Aganun's scorcher from a free-kick.

Aganun was proving a handful for the City defence. On 57 minutes, he held off three defenders before slipping the ball to Lattes whose diagonal shot rolled past Hogg and towards the incoming Andrew Formosa who poked home. Msida's joy was cut short by the assistant referee's raised flag for offside.

Msida now drove forward with more intent. They would have taken the lead on 63 minutes when Lattes's cross flew towards the unmarked Formosa whose point-blank header drew an excellent save out of Hogg.

The sight of Scerri walking towards the touchline to enter the fray drew a loud applause from the City fans. Before the striker came on for Edmond Agius, Valletta fluffed an excellent opportunity to seize the lead when Cruyff, left alone in front of goal, just failed to get a touch to Gilbert Agius's cross-shot.

Referee Silvio Tanti waved off Valletta's claims for a penalty when Mifsud ran into Scerri.

There was a conspicuous rise in the intensity of the exchanges as the Citizens, pushed more men upfield and the gritty Msida grew in confidence.

With 12 minutes left, Den Ouden's header took a deflection off Formosa but the Msida goalkeeper saved.

Valletta attacked incessantly but Msida just refused to wilt. Bartolo stopped a Den Ouden header and, five minutes from time, pawed away Kevin Sammut's goalbound strike.

Scerri then shot wide after Sammut's cross was nodded down by Den Ouden. In stoppage time, Priso sent in an inviting cross from the right but Zammit headed wide. Another attempt by the Valletta substitute, this time with his left foot, was blocked by the outstanding Bartolo.

Valletta
A. Hogg-7, S. Bezzina-5.5 ('78 K. Sammut), R. Briffa-5.5, L. Dimech-6, K. Scicluna-6, G. Agius-6, E. Agius-6 ('66 T. Scerri-6), J. Cruyff-5, G. Den Ouden-4, D. Falzon-6 ('63 I. Zammit-5.5), D. Priso-6.

Msida
M. Bartolo-8, S. Grima-6.5, R. Baldacchino-6, C. Sciberras-6.5, T. Farrugia-7, K. Mifsud-6.5 ('90 A. Farrugia), O. Aganun-7.5, Z. Levnaic-7.5, I. Curmi-6 ('74 N. Arpa), E. Lattes-6.5, K. Ebejer-5.5 ('57 A. Formosa-6).

Referee: Silvio Tanti.

Yellow cards: Priso; Formosa; Lattes; Zammit;

BoV player of the match: Tyrone Farrugia (Msida).