Valletta United overcame the challenge of Division One knock-out holders Marsascala Mor€ yesterday to wrest the prize from the southseaders and thus make it a double delight in a high-successful season.

Valletta owed their victory to sound team-work which was inspired by fine goalkeeping from Ryan Sciortino and the scoring traits of Milos Korolija, author of a nap-hand of goals.

There was no question about Valletta’s edge this summer. They were off to a solid start before the opening quarter ended 3-1 in their favour.

Sciortino, who saved a penalty from Joseph Kayes in the first session, continued with his fine series of saves in the second quarter which Marsascala won 3-2 to reduce the deficit to 5-4 in their favour at the change of ends.

At this point, John Licari was excluded with substitution to leave Marsascala handicapped.

Valletta shaded the third quarter 2-1, with Djorde Filipovic and Korolija (his fourth) making it 7-4 before Kayes scored his side’s fifth goal to eventually make it four personal convertions.

Marsascala kept battling but Valletta were resolved to maintain their scoring edge. They obliged to win the last session 5-3 for a final 12-8 scoreline.

Summary

Marsascala 8
Valletta 12

(1-3, 3-2, 1-2, 3-5)

Marsascala: K. Schembri, K. Rizzo Naudi, M. Pace, B. Muscat, J. Kayes 4, L. Grixti, J. Licari 1, J. Cremona, D. Hegedius 2, A. Sammut, D. Cassar, C. Mifsud, L. Caruana 1.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Meli, R. Calleja, M. Korolija 5, N. Bonello Ghio, S. Cachia, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 2, C. Debono, R. Scerri 1, A. Arrigo, D. Filipovic 3, Z. Sciberras.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, M. Angilleri.

Next fixtures
Friday: 18.00 Marsaxlokk vs Ta’ Xbiex. 19.15 Exiles vs San Ġiljan.
Saturday: 16.45 ASA Under-17 vs Valletta; 18.00 Marsascala vs Otters. 19.15 Sliema vs Sirens.