Valletta move to the top

Valletta extended their unbeaten start to four matches after seeing off Qormi's gritty challenge this evening thanks to two second-half goals.

The Citizens created the better chances in a balanced first half but Qormi, who like Valletta had gained 10 points from their opening four matches, held firm.

Kevin Sammut hit wide from Doding Priso's cross in the early stages and Steve Bezzina's low cross was intercepted by Qormi defender Ramon dos Santos who deflected the ball just wide of the near post. Eleven minutes from half-time, Valletta came very close to taking the lead.

Priso supplied a good cross from the right and Geert Den Ouden headed goalwards but the ball cannoned off the crossbar. In the final moments of the opening half, Qormi also threatened when Brazilian Camilo twisted his way into the box and hit a low pass that came off Valletta defender Luke Dimech and landed just wide of the upright. Early in the second half, Qormi's Joseph Chetcuti brought a good save from Valletta's Andrew Hogg.

At the other end, Mattew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper, denied Den Ouden when pushing his shot away for a corner but Valletta forged ahead 20 minutes into the second half. Sammut showed quick reflexes as he guided the ball into the net, possibly with the aid of a deflection, after Qormi had failed to clear a Gilbert Agius cross. Qormi replied with a Camilo header that ended wide but, with 10 minutes remaining, Valletta sealed their win. From a corner action, Den Ouden squared to Jamie Pace who drilled a low shot past the startled Farrugia.