Battle of high-fliers goes City's way

Qormi 0
Valletta 2
Sammut 65; Pace 80

The battle of the undefeated teams in the Premier League went Valletta's way last night.

Having surprised one and sundry with their terrific start to the season, Qormi did their utmost to thwart their opponents but this proved beyond them as City struck twice in the second half to cement their position at the summit of the table.

Valletta were worth the three points as they were the livelier side. For all their commitment, Qormi were too prudent despite boasting a fearsome attacking tandem in Camilo, scorer of seven goals in three matches, and Alfred Effiong.

Jesmond Zerafa's troops succeeded in keeping Valletta at bay in the first half, thanks in no small measure to Ramon Dos Santos's solid defending, but from the moment Kevin Sammut fired Valletta ahead, there was no coming back for the Yellows.

This clash attracted a sizeable crowd to the National Stadium. The two sets of fans were clearly intent on giving a strong vocal backing to their teams, in the process creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Jordi Cruyff and Dyson Falzon were the two notable absentees for Valletta. Terrence Scerri and Jamie Pace were restored to the starting line-up and Geert den Ouden was given another chance to impress after his low-key showing in the goalless draw with Msida.

Valletta tore out of the blocks and threatened to seize the lead when Doding Priso floated a dangerous cross into the area but Sammut's scrambled volley flew wide.

Seconds later, Valletta embarked on another raid as Steve Bezzina steamed into the box and tried to deliver a pass that deflected off Dos Santos with the ball rolling inches wide of the near post.

Valletta's initial frenzy petered out as the first half progressed but, at the other end, Qormi were also finding it tough to break down Valletta's defensive lines.

On 21 minutes, Valletta protested for a penalty after an aerial challenge by Jonathan Bondin, one of three ex-City players in Qormi's line-up, left Scerri nursing a head wound. Referee Alan Mario Sant deemed the tackle was legitimate.

Four minutes later, Luke Dimech conceded a free-kick in a potentially menacing position after bringing down Camilo. Massimo Grima sent his shot over the bar.

An abrasive challenge by Bezzina on Camilo prompted Zerafa, the Qormi coach, to dash out of the dug-out, calling on the referee to admonish the Valletta player.

Eleven minutes from half-time, the woodwork denied Valletta a goal as Den Ouden's header from Priso's centre rattled the bar.

A fluent City move then opened Qormi as Scerri darted into the box from the right but his return pass to Sammut was intercepted by Steve Wellman. Five minutes from half-time, Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper, did well to palm away a Bezzina free-kick.

Qormi almost broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time.

The quick-footed Camilo set Valletta's pulses racing as he waltzed his way past Bezzina before delivering a teasing pass which Dimech almost turned into his own net in an attempt to clear.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Andrew Hogg, the Valletta goalkeeper, was forced into a fine save to push away Joseph Chetcuti's volley from the edge of the box.

A minute past the hour, Zerafa was compelled to make his first substitution after Joseph Farrugia picked up an injury.

Den Ouden then threatened to steal the limelight for Valletta when he unleashed a powerful grounder that Farrugia turned around the near post. This was the prelude to Valletta's goal which came in the 65th minute.

Agius's lofted cross caused panic in the Qormi box and Sammut was on hand to place the ball into the net although his shot appeared to take a deflection on its way in.

With Priso giving Qormi all sorts of problems on the left and Agius breaking forward more often, Valletta gained a distinct edge over their cautious opponents.

With 19 minutes remaining, Qormi almost stunned Valletta with an equaliser but Camilo headed just wide from Grima's free-kick.

The Citizens made the points safe 10 minutes from time when, from a corner, Den Ouden freed Pace whose grounder flashed past Farrugia.

Five minutes from time, Scerri missed a good opportunity to make it 3-0 when he flicked wide after being released by man-of-the-match Priso.

Qormi finished the match with 10 men after Meilak sustained an injury and Zerafa had already made his three substitutions.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6.5, R. Dos Santos-8, M. Grima-6, K. Fenech-6 ('85 S. Pace), J. Farrugia-7 ('61 S. Meilak-4), Camilo-6.5, J. Bondin-5, S. Wellman-6.5, R. Sammut-5, J. Chetcuti-5 ('74 R. Deguara), A. Effiong-5.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6, S. Bezzina-6 ('90 J. Grioli), R. Briffa-6, L. Dimech-6.5, K. Scicluna-6.5, J. Pace-6.5, G. Agius-6.5 ('86 S. Giglio), K. Sammut-6.5 ('83 I. Zammit), D. Priso-8.5, G. Den Ouden-6, T. Scerri-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Chetcuti; Dimech; Den Ouden.

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