Valletta 2
Denni 2; Nafti 55;
Tarxien Rainbows 1
Potezica 88;

Valletta were back on the winning trail yesterday following the upset to Naxxar Lions in their previous match as they scored a goal in each half to see off Tarxien Rainbows.

The Citizens looked determined to make up for their poor showing in the 2-1 defeat to the Lions last month and produced a more convincing display against the lowly Rainbows who made the score look more respectable with a late goal.

City coach Mark Miller got the right response from his players, their all-round effort perhaps deserving a more pronounced victory against Tarxien who had goalkeeper Nicky Vella to thank for not conceding more goals.

Denni was again the mastermind of Valletta’s victory as the Brazilian forward was at the heart of every City attack while the returning Hamza Barry gave a more solid outlook to the team’s midfield as Valletta moved within one point of leaders Birkirkara who face Floriana this afternoon.

Miller had to do without Ryan Fenech and Steve Borg, both serving a one-match ban, while Jonathan Caruana was ruled out with injury.

Oscar Sanchez was drafted in the heart of defence with Barry handed his first start since returning from injury at the expense of Raimi Bakare who was not included in the 18-man squad.

Shaun Bajada, Jason Vandelannoite and Roderick Briffa were all handed a recall to the City starting formation.

As Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi saw out the second of a two-match ban, Steven Vella led the team from the dug-out.

The Rainbows were without striker Ronaille and defender Steve Bonnici who were serving a one-match suspension.

Carlo Mamo, Manuel Caruana and Josef Mifsud were back in the fray after missing the goalless draw against Sliema Wanderers.

Valletta could not have hoped for a better start as, after only two minutes, Tarxien defender Fernando Lopez failed to deal with Vandelannoite’s cross with the ball falling to Denni who hit home past Vella.

Buoyed by that opener, Valletta kept pushing forward. On eight minutes Denni turned provider when setting up Abdelkarim Nafti who volleyed just wide.

Tarxien’s first foray in the City half came on 14 minutes. Jorge Santos Silva created space for himself inside the box but his shot went wide.

Valletta regained the initiative. On 21 minutes they were awarded a free-kick but Nafti’s inswinger just missed the upright.

Four minutes later Nafti and Denni showed great understanding with a series of short passes that ended with the latter seeing his effort pushed away by Vella.

On 28 minutes the woodwork denied Valletta a second goal. From another free-kick, Bajada saw his humdinger come off the goal frame before the Tarxien defenders booted the ball to safety.

Valletta were seeing more of the ball. Nafti’s effort was blocked in two attempts by Vella and Denni almost grabbed a second when he was first to Nafti’s cross but his headed attempt lacked precision.

Valletta succeeded in scoring a much-needed second 10 minutes into the second half.

Denni was pulled down by Lopez on the edge of the area and from the free-kick, Nafti beat Vella with a delightful inswinger.

Tarxien had a glimmer of a chance when Hevia’s cross flew across the Valletta area but Karl Pulo was a second too late to make contact in front of goal.

Vella came to Tarxien’s rescue again when he kept out Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza’s firm drive.

From the rebound, Edmond Agius saw his shot blocked with the ball falling to Denni who was again denied by the Rainbows custodian.

At the other end, Hevia’s throughball put Santos Silva clear but the Brazilian was stopped by a fine diving save from Yenz Cini.

Tarxien introduced Nigel Vella and Japanese striker Go Nagaoka in the final stages as they tried to boost their attacking drive.

They did manage to pull a goal back two minutes from time when from a Jorge Santos Silva free-kick, Marko Potezica headed past Cini.

However, it was too little too late from Tarxien as Valletta held on for the win.

Valletta
Y. Cini-6.5, E. Agius-6, R. Briffa-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (72 I. Zammit), O. Sanchez-6, H. Barry-6.5 (75 I. Azzopardi), S. Bajada-6, Denni-7.5, J.L. Vandelannoite-7, A. Nafti-7 (85 L. Cremona), L. Dimech-6.

Tarxien Rainbows
Nicky Vella-7, C. Mamo-6, M. Caruana-5 (67 L. Zahra-5.5), F. Lopez-5, A. Agius-5, M. Potezica-6, M. Ciantar-5 (77 G. Nagaoka), C. Hevia-6, K. Pulo-6 (77 Nigel Vella), J. Mifsud-5, J. Santos Silva-6.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Briffa; Lopez; Hevia.

BOV player of the match: Denni (Valletta).

Standings