Two-goal Fenech enjoys dream debut as City sweep Sliema aside

Sliema Wanderers 1
Jackson Lima 45 pen;
Valletta 4
Scerri 11, 90; Fenech 30, 63;

Ryan Fenech ended an eventful week on an extraordinary note.

Donning the no.6 shirt, Fenech enjoyed an imperious debut for the Citizens. The Malta midfielder capped a dynamic performance with two goals as the runaway leaders crushed Sliema Wanderers 4-1 to consolidate their position at the top of the table, in the process cranking up the pressure on rivals Floriana (who have reportedly revived their interest in Michael Mifsud) and Tarxien Rainbows who go head-to-head this afternoon.

While Fenech’s decisive contribution backed club president Victor Sciriha’s assertion that the 24-year-old is one of the greatest talents in Maltese football, Valletta’s overall display also underlined their tag as firm title favourites.

At times, Valletta were irresistible as they sallied forward with panache, their forward momentum inevitably boosted by the presence of a host of skilful players like Fenech, Denni, Roderick Briffa and Kevin Sammut.

As the City fans saluted their new hero, Terrence Scerri also cemented his place in the hearts of the Valletta faithful with a brace of goals.

If Valletta’s win kept their title bid up and running, Sliema’s defeat all but shattered their Championship Pool chances, especially after they had been leapfrogged by Qormi into seventh place following their win over Hibs in the early kick-off.

Sliema lost not for want of trying, as they strove to play positive football without throwing caution to the wind, but they simply couldn’t match Valletta’s technical superiority. Their hopes all but fizzled out when Jackson Lima was sent off for two acts of petulance on the hour mark.

Coach Jesmond Zerafa instructed Fenech to play on the right of midfield as the two central roles were filled by Briffa and Edmond Agius.

While City hardman Jamie Pace was sidelined with injury, Gilbert Agius was deemed only fit to start on the bench. The absence of the captain and vice-captain meant that Zerafa had to choose a new ‘leader’ and that onus fell on Scerri.

With Briffa manning Valletta’s engine room, Steve Borg reverted to right-back and Brazilian defender Ramon partnered Jonathan Caruana.

Sliema coach Mark Marlow kept faith with the same team that started Monday’s one-all draw with Tarxien.

Valletta shaded the early exchanges but Sliema almost scored from their first foray into the opposing half.

Chakib Lachkhem evaded the attentions of Ramon before swinging over an excellent cross that sailed to the unmarked Clayton Failla at the far post but the latter headed over in front of a gaping goal.

Reprieved by that miss, Valletta quickly regained the initiative.

They put their noses in front after 11 minutes when Fenech’s perfect ball was headed home by the towering Scerri who, according to reports, is also attracting interest from a club in Cyprus.

The Citizens’ early breakthrough was a blow for Sliema but to their credit, Marlow’s men kept their composure.

Midway into the first half, eyes were drawn on Fenech who was writhing in pain after landing on his back following an abrasive tackle from Sliema captain Mark Scerri. Referee Kevin Azzopardi allowed play to continue but as the game stopped, he showed Scerri a yellow card. Fenech was carried off on a stretcher but he was soon back on his feet.

Fenech soon dispelled fears about his fitness after doubling Valletta’s advantage on the hour.

Denni swivelled in the box before delicately touching the ball to Fenech who despatched a pulverising drive past Viktor Szentpeteri at the far post. Cue chants of ‘Ryan Fenech, Ryan Fenech’ from the ecstatic City fans.

Valletta thought they had increased their lead when Scerri tapped the ball home at the far post but the City striker was offside.

The Wanderers gained a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Ian Azzopardi was adjudged to have barged into Lachkhem inside the box. Referee Kevin Azzopardi pointed to the spot and Jackson Lima drilled an angled shot past Andrew Hogg. Game on.

The second half was less than two minutes old when Steve Bezzina, the on-loan Valletta wing-back, intercepted Kevin Sammut who was shaping up to shoot. The Citizens should have restored their two-goal lead when Denni, latching on to a long pass, outpaced the Sliema defence but his ferocious drive grazed the far post.

All roads seemed to lead to Szentpeteri’s goal in the initial stages of the second half. Briffa laid the ball to Denni but the Brazilian scuffed his shot.

The pattern of the game remained unchanged as the slick-moving Citizens continued to attack from all angles.

Then, Sliema’s afternoon took a turn for the worse when Jackson Lima was banished to the dressing room after he incurred two bookings in a matter of seconds, the first for obstructing Valletta from taking a free-kick and the second for applauding referee Azzopardi as the latter brandished the yellow card. This came after 60 minutes.

Valletta dished out instant punishment on Sliema, thanks to Fenech who earned instant cult status among his new supporters as he scored his second goal with a sweetly-struck dipping shot that caressed the upright before dropping into the net.

The game looked over as a contest but it was a credit to Sliema that they always tried to push forward whenever they had possession despite being down to 10 men.

This was evident when Lach-khem’s grounder was touched away by Hogg.

Valletta threatened to extend their lead in their next attack as Fenech picked out Gilbert Agius, who had just replaced Sammut, but the veteran’s header forced a fine save out of Szentpeteri.

Valletta had another ‘goal’ disallowed for offside when Denni headed in after Scerri’s close-range flick had been partially saved by Szentpeteri.

In stoppage time, Fenech combined with Gilbert Agius who closed in on goal but his return pass was repelled. Szentpeteri then thwarted Agius when fisting away his thunderous effort from an inviting position.

The Citizens’ late flurry yielded a fourth goal deep into injury time courtesy of Scerri who bore down on goal through the middle and, having paused briefly to assess his options, hit a pulverising shot that had the better of Szentpeteri.

Sliema Wanderers
V. Szentpeteri-7, J. Mifsud-6, M. Scerri-5, S. Bezzina-5 (72 N. Turner-5), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6.5, Jackson Lima, O. Obiefule-4, C. Lachkhem-6.5, R. Bajada-6 (79 M. Ciantar), B. Muscat-4, C. Failla-5 (56 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6).

Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, R. Briffa-7.5, I. Azzopardi-6.5, J. Caruana-6, S. Borg-6, E. Agius-6.5, Ramon-6.5, K. Sammut-6 (76 G. Agius), R. Fenech-8.5 (90 K. Magro), Denni-6.5 (82 I. Zammit), T. Scerri-7.5.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Scerri; Jackson Lima; Obiefule; Hogg; Briffa.

Red card: Jackson Lima (S) 60.

BOV player of the match: Ryan Fenech (Valletta).

Attendance: 2,575.