Valletta’s Njongo Priso (right) tries to move past Patmore Shereni. Photo: Matthew MirabelliValletta’s Njongo Priso (right) tries to move past Patmore Shereni. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Valletta 0
Pembroke Athleta 2
Laudisi 35; Martz 51;

The growing impression that this year’s Premier League is evolving into one of the most enthralling championships for many years was further strengthened last night.

Pembroke, languishing in the bottom half of the table, ripped the formbook apart after upsetting the erstwhile leaders to pull off an historic victory against one of the country’s heavyweights.

Well-drilled tactically, resilient and brimming with speed and flair every time they ventured forward, Pembroke deserved their success with the lively Austin Martz typifying their brisk performance.

But the American winger was not the only player who shone yesterday as the entire Pembroke team were at the top of their game with defender Patmore Shereni and Owen Bugeja outstanding at the back and Paltemio Barbetti an immovable figure in midfield.

Not the same can be said of Valletta who looked out of sorts throughout, bereft of attacking verve and lacking composure in midfield and at the back. Njongo Priso’s missed penalty late on capped a miserable evening for Valletta who will surrender top spot if Birkirkara and Balzan win today.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza deputised for striker Federico Falcone who started a two-match ban. Also making a return for Valletta was Roderick Briffa who replaced Claudio Pani.

Priso, who put away the last-gasp penalty that earned the Citizens a point against Mosta, was handed a first-team recall.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit kept faith with 4-3-3, Priso and Abdelkarim Nafti playing in support of Mifsud Triganza,

For Pembroke, Shereni stepped in for the suspended Zoran Levnaic while Gibson Bardsley took the place of James Togbah.

Bardsley was deployed at the apex of Winston Muscat’s 4-2-3-1 formation with Gustavo Villalobos acting as conduit between midfield and attack.

The first chance came Valletta’s way on 15 minutes. Nafti’s corner was headed on by Ryan Camilleri with Mifsud Triganza flashing in at the far post only to scuff his shot over the bar.

Nafti’s free-kick was then saved by Mario Muscat, the Pembroke goalkeeper. Two minutes later, the post came to Muscat’s rescue as Mifsud Triganza’s half-volley cannoned off the upright after the 33-year-old striker had got on the end of Priso’s cross from the right.

A raking cross from Martz caused consternation among the City defenders as Bardsley dashed in to chest the ball but Henry Bonello was quick off his line to remove the danger.

At the other end, Valletta protested for a penalty when Priso tumbled to the ground after being challenged by Shereni but referee Adrian Azzopardi was not impressed.

Pembroke stunned Valletta when taking the lead 10 minutes from half-time.

Barbetti was the provider, his cross catching the City defence off guard as Ariel Laudisi nipped in from the blindside. His initial effort was blocked by a defender but the Argentine winger blasted the rebound home.

The Whites should have equalised when Llywelyn Cremona laid the ball to Mifsud Triganza inside the box but the latter’s drive was deflected away for a corner by Shereni. From the ensuing corner, the ball landed at the feet of Priso at the far post but his tame effort was blocked.

Muscat saved Mifsud Triganza’s central shot as Valletta ended the first half on the front foot.

Valletta’s evening took a turn for the worse when Pembroke doubled their lead six minutes into the second half.

Capitalising on a misunderstanding in the City defence, Bardsley breezed into the box before laying the ball back for Martz who buried the ball home.

Martz, who had been booked in the first half, went to celebrate in front of the City fans but referee Azzopardi saw nothing untoward.

As Valletta surged forward in search of an equaliser, they grew more susceptible to counter-attacks. This was palpable on 62 minutes when Martz embarked on a powerful run before serving Villalobos whose piledriver was parried away by Bonello.

Muscat smothered away Priso’s cross-shot before Umeh Calistus came on for Cremona as Zammit moved to strengthen his attack.

Despite the abundance of forward players in their team, Valletta just could not get going.

It was not before 10 minutes from time that they fashioned a chance, Mifsud Triganza heading over from Nafti’s free-kick.

In a typical swift counter-attack, Barbetti rifled over from inside the box.

With four minutes remaining, Valletta looked to have earned a lifeline in the shape of a penalty after Alex Cini clattered into Mifsud Triganza in the box but Priso’s effort from the spot cannoned off the crossbar.

Valletta
H. Bonello-5, I. Azzopardi-5.5 (74 J. Suda), R. Camilleri-5, J. Cruz Gill-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5, R. Briffa-5.5, N. Priso-5.5, L. Cremona-5.5 (63 U. Calistus-4), A. Bruce-4, A. Nafti-5 (90 R. Fenech), R. Romao-5.5.

Pembroke Athleta
M. Muscat-6.5, A. Martz-8, P. Barbetti-7.5, G. Villalobos-6 (75 S. Arab), A. Laudisi-6.5 (88 P.P. Sammut), G. Bardsley-6.5 (90 G. Spiteri), O. Bugeja-7, M. Attard-6.5, A. Cini-6.5, K. O’Brien-7, P. Shereni-7.5.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Martz; Cremona; Priso; Mifsud Triganza.

Missed penalty: Priso (V) 87.

BOV player of the match: Austin Martz (Pembroke Athleta).

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