Valletta 3
Mifsud 13; Ricardo 26; Borg 39;
Mosta 1
Obiefule 44;
This contest had drifted just beyond the half-hour and the disparity between the two teams was there for all to see as the sharp Valletta had already struck three times with Mosta unable to match their opponents’ commitment and passing game.
Michael Mifsud, Denni and Roderick Briffa seem to have already slipped into last season form.
The goals were swiftly constructed, one-touch interchanges and fluid movements with Mosta unable to devise ways to choke City’s approach.
With a three-goal cushion, Mark Miller’s men took their foot off the pedal but Mosta were still unable to get back in contention as happened in their previous game against Hibs when they reduced the deficit twice after having fallen behind three times.
Taking heart from his players’ energetic second-half display against the Paolites, coach Steve D’Amato stuck with his 4-1-4-1 module, Daniel Bogdanovic again playing off lone striker Obinna Obiefule.
At Valletta, Denni was drafted into the starting XI as Miller sought to add flair to his midfield where Mosta seem to be pretty solid thanks to the contribution of newly-recruits Carlos Compagnoli, Danail Mitev and Jonathan Bajada.
Making way for Denni was Ryan Fenech as Jonathan Caruana was given a vote of confidence by Miller on the back of his influential display and winning goal in the hard-earned victory over Tarxien Rainbows.
Denni partnered Mifsud in attack in a more traditional 4-4-2 with the roaming Gabriel offering support from the wings.
Denni shone brightly yesterday and his first telling contribution was to collect a pass from Briffa in an inviting position but Justin Haber, the Mosta goalkeeper, rushed out to save with his feet.
Mifsud, who along with Denni, Briffa, Shawn Bajada and William Barbosa graced the pitch with numerous magical moments, opened the score with a firm grounder to Haber’s left on 13 minutes.
The nippy striker collected a pass from Bajada and spinned away from Ferdinando Apap and Luke Dimech to stroll into the Mosta box and beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Five minutes later, Valletta were awarded a free-kick from a dangerous position just outside the penalty area. Barbosa curled his shot past the Mosta wall but the effort finished at the wrong side of the upright.
Mosta’s outing took another turn for the worse on 26 minutes when Haber was let down by his judgment from a Dyson Falzon corner. A smart ball across the goal from Borg saw Ricardo leaping high and he made no mistake with to make it 2-0 from close in.
The champions practically sealed the issue six minutes from half-time when Mifsud accelerated on the right flank before laying the ball to Borg who outmuscled his marker before beating Haber from routine distance.
Mosta hardly fashioned a chance in the opening half and their showing up to that point did not merit a mention let alone a goal.
However, Obiefule hit the back of the City net on the stroke of half-time, heading home from Mano Micallef’s fine cross from the right to somewhat revive his team’s hopes.
Second-half substitutes Ousenni Zongo – the former Valletta flank player who was making his first showing for Mosta yesterday – and Ryan Grech tried to give D’Amato’s team better impetus.
They should have narrowed the deficit further but Mitev’s free-kick was well saved by Manuel Bartolo.
Valletta were not letting their opponents getting back into the game and Haber did well to deny the lively Denni when the Brazilian found himself face to face with the Mosta no.1.
Mitev, now thriving in a more advanced role, forced his way into the box but his effort was tipped over the bar by birthday-boy Bartolo.
Valletta tried to punish Mosta’s flat-out approach from quick counter-attacks as Denni showcased a series of flicks and spins as well as speed to create havoc inside the opponents’ half.
However, Denni looked out of sorts when he dragged his effort wide from an angle and late substitute Leandro, who came on for Gabriel, was also denied by Haber when through all alone in front of the Mosta goal.
Mosta
J. Haber-5, F. Apap-5, M. Micallef-6, L. Dimech-5, S. Bezzina-5.5, E. Okafor-4 (46 O. Zongo-5), D. Mitev-6.5, J. Bajada-4 (46 R. Grech-5), C. Campagnoli-5 (73 F. Aboulezz), D. Bogdanovic-5, O. Obiefule-6.
Valletta
M. Bartolo-6.5, S. Borg-7, J. Caruana-6, J. Gabriel-5.5 (87 Leandro), R. Briffa-6.5, Ricardo-6, D. Falzon-6, W. Barbosa-6, Denni-6.5, M. Mifsud-6 (68 I. Azzopardi-6), S. Bajada-6 (57 R. Fenech-6).
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow card: Fenech.
BOV player of the match: Steve Borg (Valletta).