City struggle to beat Mqabba

MQABBA-2, VALLETTA-4

Valletta had to fight harder than expected to see of the bold challenge offered by Mqabba.

Under pressure to return to winning ways after their upset to Hibs, Valletta twice surrendered a one-goal lead as the first half ended 2-2 but the champions scored two goals in the second period to secure the points after a 4-2 win.

A mistake by Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja led to Valletta taking the lead after just 33 seconds. Calleja failed to hold a seemingly harmless pass by Jamie Pace and Zongo, who had run into the box, duly capitalised as he flicked the ball home from close in.

Mqabba's reply saw Marko Potezika test Andrew Hogg with a long-range drive which the City goalkeeper pushed away for a corner.

Despite their early opener, Valletta were struggling to find their usual fluency. It was not before the 16th minute that they created a decent chance, Zongo firing a powerful drive from an acute angle which Calleja pushed around his near post.

From the ensuing action, Denni crossed for Alfred Effiong who headed over from an inviting position.

Another goalkeeping error, midway into the first half, led to a second goal, only that this time the beneficiaries were Mqabba. Bojan Mamic's presence was enough to unsettle Hogg who mishit his clearance from outside the area. The ball dropped to Marlon Briffa who lobbed the ball past the backtracking Hogg and into the net.

Mqabba's joy was short-lived though as Valletta re-estbalished their lead two minutes later. Denni's cross from the left unhinged the Mqabba defence who failed to clear the ball which fell to Barbosa who leapt backward before scoring with an overhead kick.

Valletta's second goal failed to rattle Mqabba who made it 2-2 nine minutes from half-time. Mamic rifled a perfectly-hit free-kick that left Hogg rooted to his spot as the ball ricocheted off the inside of a post and dropped beyond the goal-line.

Mqabba threatened again when Mazzitelli forced his way into the box but his shot came off the side-netting.

Zerafa will surely have had a few harsh for his players at half-time as Valletta had been well below their best in the first half.

Not so can be said of Mqabba who, early in the second half, went close again when Mamic's chip sailed just over the bar.

Denni then charged forward unchallenged but he opted to pass to Barbosa, who was offside, instead of shooting.

Calleja did well to anticipate Zongo's cross before Effiong could connect.

Mqabba battled on. Mazzitelli set up Mamic whose diagonal effort sailed across the face of goal. Mamic then headed off target from Briffa's cross as Valletta's defensive problems persisted.

Yet, the champions received a boost when, on 67 minutes, Barbosa put them in front for the third time in the match when heading Dyson Falzon's cross past Calleja.

Valletta secured their win two minutes from time, Denni scoring with a ferocious shot that went in via the underside of the bar after the Brazilian had received from substitute Siraj Arab.

Valletta striker Barbosa was named BOV player of the match.